Three activists from the group Palestine Action have ended a gruelling 73-day hunger strike, but their ordeal is far from over as they now face a perilous new phase of medical complications.
The End of the Fast and a New Danger
The protesters, Heba Muraisi, 31, Kamran Ahmed, and Lewie Chiaramello, announced their decision to cease their strike on January 14, 2026. Their action concluded after a primary demand was met: defence contractor Elbit Systems UK was denied a massive £2 billion Government contract to train British troops. Elbit is a subsidiary of Israel's largest arms manufacturer and has been repeatedly targeted by activists for its role in supplying weapons used in Gaza.
However, medical experts are now sounding the alarm over the severe and immediate health risks the strikers face. After months of refusing food, their bodies are in a critically weakened state, and the process of reintroducing nutrition itself can be fatal.
Grave Health Warnings and Hospitalisations
Dr Nicholl, speaking to Sky News, highlighted the primary threat: refeeding syndrome. "The biggest risk immediately is what's called refeeding syndrome," he explained. "If you picture yourself having not eaten for a number of days, you need to gradually - very gradually - increase your calorie intake... there's a risk of getting very sick and actually people have died having stopped the hunger strike."
Pharmacist Palvinder Deol detailed to The Mirror how the syndrome is triggered by an insulin spike that depletes vital electrolytes like phosphate, potassium, and magnesium. This can lead to dangerous conditions including hypophosphatemia, irregular heartbeats, sudden heart failure, breathing difficulties, and brain complications.
The warnings are not theoretical. Kamran Ahmed, who was hospitalised six times during his 64-day fast and diagnosed with bradycardia, has now ended his strike. Fellow activist Teuta Hoxha, who called off her hunger strike after 58 days, is already battling refeeding syndrome and has been hospitalised, according to a statement from MP Zarah Sultana. Another striker, Amu Gib, who halted their protest after 50 days, remains "physically weak."
Activists' Plight and Ongoing Demands
The hunger strikers' situations remain precarious. Heba Muraisi, who reached 73 days without food, is detained at HMP New Hall, over 200 miles from her family. MPs are considering her plea to be transferred to HMP Bronzefield to be nearer her loved ones.
Kamran Ahmed's sister has voiced a "heavy level of disappointment" with the government, criticising Prime Minister Keir Starmer, a former human rights barrister, saying he "should be ashamed." Lewie Chiaramello, who has type 1 diabetes, was refusing meals every other day as part of his protest.
Disturbingly, Amu Gib's friend Nida Jafri revealed to Al Jazeera that Gib has received no medical advice on refeeding and is left to use their own judgement. "We, as loved ones, are terrified of this. We are aware that the reintroduction of food can be deadly if done incorrectly," Jafri said.
The group's broader demands, which remain unmet, include an end to censorship of prisoners' mail, unconditional release on bail, the right to a fair trial, the de-proscription of Palestine Action as a "terrorist" organisation, and the permanent closure of all Elbit facilities in the UK.
As these individuals move from voluntary starvation into a forced and dangerous recovery, their fight for their cause has entered a critical new chapter where their very survival hangs in the balance.
