A Palestinian solidarity activist on hunger strike in a UK prison is facing imminent death as she reaches a critical 66 days without food, with friends warning her life is in grave danger.
'Death is a very real possibility'
Heba Muraisi, a 31-year-old lifeguard from Barnet, north London, has now endured more than nine weeks of an open-ended hunger strike. Her childhood friend, Hinda, told Novara Media on January 6 that "death is a very real possibility for Heba right now," describing her as a loving and selfless person.
Muraisi's physical condition has deteriorated severely. She is suffering from uncontrollable muscle spasms, which could indicate neurological damage, and significant breathing difficulties. In audio sent to the Metro, she stated: "My body shakes, I get dizzy to the point of nausea and now breathing is getting hard. I am deteriorating in this cell, I am dying."
Isolation and restricted access
Despite her worsening health, Muraisi reports being heavily monitored and isolated. She claims visitors are being blocked, phone numbers—including those of doctors—are being rejected, emails are blocked, and her legal team is being ignored.
Compounding her isolation, she was recently transferred from HMP Bronzefield in Surrey to HMP New Hall in West Yorkshire, a move that places her approximately 200 miles away from her family and support network. A spokesperson for Prisoners for Palestine called the decision a "cruel" attack.
The Filton 24 and Brize Norton 4 protests
Muraisi is one of a group of prisoners known as the Filton 24 and Brize Norton 4. They are awaiting trial for direct action protests targeting the Israeli arms manufacturer Elbit Systems. Muraisi's own trial is not scheduled until June, meaning she will have spent nearly two years in prison on remand by that time.
She began her hunger strike on November 2, 2025, alongside several others. While some, including Qesser Zuhrah and Amu Gib, have paused their strikes, others continue. Fellow protester Kamran Ahmed, 28, has been hospitalised five times since reaching day 58 and is now experiencing sporadic hearing loss.
Another striker, 22-year-old Lewie Chiaramello, who has type 1 diabetes, is on day 44 of a protest where he refuses food every other day.
Demands and government response
The hunger strikers, supported by Palestine Action, have laid out a series of demands. These include immediate bail, fair trials, the closure of Elbit Systems' UK sites, and the dropping of all non-association orders in prison. They also demand unrestricted communication and for Muraisi to be returned to HMP Bronzefield.
This protest marks the longest hunger strike in the UK since the 1981 IRA protests, in which ten men, including Bobby Sands, died. Palestine Action has launched legal action against the government, submitting a pre-action letter to Justice Secretary David Lammy on December 22. They accuse the government of ignoring safety protocols.
In a statement, the Ministry of Justice, via Minister Lord Timpson, said hunger strikes were "not a new issue" and that prison healthcare teams provide continuous NHS monitoring. The statement emphasised that remand decisions are for independent judges and that ministers "will not meet with them," citing the separation of powers.
The situation remains critical as Heba Muraisi's strike enters its most dangerous phase, with her supporters fearing time is running out.
