31 Facts About Khader Adnan

Khader Adnan became prominent as a figure after a 66-day hunger strike in 2011 that led to a mass hunger strike among Palestinian prisoners and his ultimate release.

In December 2011, Khader Adnan was arrested and held under administrative detention, and the following day, to protest the conditions of his arrest, Israel's policy of administrative detention and its treatment of Palestinians under Israeli occupation, went on a hunger strike.

Whilst mass hunger strikes had previously been carried out by groups of Palestinian prisoners, Khader Adnan became the first to go on an individual hunger strike.

Khader Adnan was detained for the final time on 5 February 2023, and immediately began what was to become his longest hunger strike.

Khader Adnan was from Arraba, near Jenin in the West Bank, where he owned a bakery and produce store.

Khader Adnan married his wife Randa Khader Adnan in 2005, by which time he had been detained five times for his affiliation with PIJ.

Khader Adnan was first arrested and detained by Israel in 1999, when he spent four months under Israeli administrative detention.

Khader Adnan was arrested by the Palestinian National Authority eight months after being released for leading a student demonstration against Lionel Jospin in 2000.

Khader Adnan was arrested again in December 2002 by Israel and spent a year in administrative detention.

In June 2005, after PIJ members were killed in a shootout with Israeli troops, Khader Adnan "called on all Palestinian militant groups to resume fighting with Israel" and accused the governing entity, the PNA, of collaborating with Israel.

At the time of his 2011 arrest, Khader Adnan was no longer an active spokesman for the PIJ.

Khader Adnan had been convicted in the past by Israel for being a spokesperson for the PIJ, and media reports indicate he served as a PIJ spokesman.

Addameer said Khader Adnan had spent a total of six years in prison since 1999.

Between his periods of incarceration Khader Adnan continued to run his bakery in Arraba.

At the time of his detention, Khader Adnan was studying for a master's degree in economics at Birzeit University.

Khader Adnan operated a bakery in Qabatya and a produce store in his hometown of Arraba in the West Bank.

Khader Adnan was arrested by the Israeli Army on 17 December 2011 from their home in Arraba in the middle of the night.

Khader Adnan had "officially" been under administrative detention since 10 January 2012, a term that was set to last until 8 May at which point his detention could be renewed if the Israeli authorities deem it necessary.

Khader Adnan's wife Randa denied Adnan had any leadership role in the PIJ, or any role in militant activities, and said he was a member of a Palestinian reconciliation committee.

On 11 February 2012 hundreds of Palestinians staged a demonstration at the Ofer Prison where Khader Adnan was being held.

Almost two months into his hunger strike, it was reported that Khader Adnan agreed to have electrolytes, vitamins, glucose, and salts added to the water he was drinking.

Khader Adnan has garnered a large following on Facebook and Twitter.

Several of Khader Adnan's supporters argue his case has not received proper coverage in the international and Israeli media.

Addameer, a Palestinian prisoners' support group expressed "utmost concern about the health" of Khader Adnan, holding Israel accountable for his life.

Khader Adnan was again detained without charge in 2015 and again started a hunger strike on 4 May that lasted 56 days until Israel agreed to release him in July.

Khader Adnan was arrested again in 2017 and again immediately began a hunger strike that lasted 58 days.

Khader Adnan was arrested, for the final time, on 5 February 2023, following which he began the hunger strike that lasted 87 days until his death.

Physicians for Human Rights Israel said that, in the lead up to his death, their medic had visited Khader Adnan and raised his "life-threatening condition and the need for immediate hospital transfer".

Khader Adnan died in prison on 2 May 2023, following an 87-day hunger strike at the age of 45.

Khader Adnan was the first Palestinian prisoner to die from a hunger strike since 1992.

Khader Adnan's wife called for violence to be avoided, in accordance with her husband's peaceful protests.