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A lengthy hunger strike involving detainees associated with the Palestine Action group has seen a significant development, as one of the participants has ended their protest after sustaining it for nearly seven weeks. According to a government letter, Qesser Zuhrah, who was among the first eight individuals to commence the hunger strike on 2 November, ceased her refusal to eat after 48 days. Despite this, other members of the group continue their protests, with lawyers warning ministers that a failure to engage in dialogue by Tuesday afternoon could prompt a High Court challenge.
Among the original eight hunger strikers, three have stopped their protest, four remain actively refusing food, and the eighth is reportedly eating intermittently due to an underlying health issue. Last week, Ms Zuhrah was hospitalized amid demonstrations outside HMP Bronzefield, where supporters alleged she was being denied adequate medical care—a claim disputed by Ministry of Justice (MoJ) officials, who have not publicly commented on individual prisoner management. Another participant, Amy Gardiner-Gibson (also known as Amu Gib), was moved to hospital on the 50th day of her hunger strike.
The remaining protesters—Heba Muraisi, Teuta Hoxha, and Kamran Ahmad—have been on hunger strike for 49, 43, and 42 days respectively. These durations have not been contested by officials. Medical protocols from both prison and NHS guidelines require that healthcare professionals oversee any treatment decisions concerning hunger strikers, ensuring that food-related interventions occur only with the consent of the individual or if it is established that they lack the mental capacity to refuse such care.
Legal representatives for the hunger strikers have issued a formal letter warning that they will seek the High Court’s review of Justice Secretary David Lammy’s refusal to meet with their representatives if no response is provided by Tuesday at 14:00 GMT. The lawyers emphasize that prison service policies obligate staff to understand and address the reasons motivating prisoners’ food refusal. The group continues to demand the lifting of the ban on Palestine Action. Concurrently, the High Court is considering the home secretary’s decision to proscribe the group, with a judgment expected early next year. The detainees have complained of unfair treatment and noted delays in their trial dates set for 2026 and 2027, with some details suppressed to maintain the integrity of ongoing legal proceedings.
Highlighting the scale of the protest, the lawyers’ letter states, “Our clients’ food refusal constitutes the largest co-ordinated hunger strike in British history since 1981.” It also underscores the grave risks involved: “As of today’s date, their strike has lasted up to 51 days, nearly two months, and poses a significant risk to their life with each passing day.” The Care Quality Commission, responsible for overseeing prison healthcare, has confirmed to the BBC that it has contacted HMP Bronzefield after receiving concerns but has not disclosed the specifics of the communications.
Minister of State for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending Lord Timpson acknowledged the seriousness of hunger strikes, noting that there have been over 200 such cases annually in recent years. He assured that well-established procedures and medical monitoring are in place, asserting that claims of denied hospital care are misleading as prisoners receive NHS care as required. Lord Timpson also stressed that these individuals face serious charges such as aggravated burglary and criminal damage, that decisions regarding their remand lie with independent judges, and that government ministers will not intervene in ongoing judicial matters. He stated, “It would be entirely unconstitutional and inappropriate for ministers to intervene in ongoing legal cases,” underscoring the separation of powers fundamental to the justice system
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