The Palestinian Authority has not let it up on its campaign of arresting resistance fighters, recently leading to rising tensions and armed confrontations in Jenin. But despite the PA’s efforts, resistance brigades continue to spread.

“I am deeply thankful for people who supported me, stood with me, reinforced me, and prayed for me, thank you,” Awawdeh said, after ending his 182-day hunger strike. Awawdeh, who lost more than half his weight during his strike will remain in an Israeli hospital for treatment until his release on October 2. 

Israel’s continued detention of Bassam al-Saadi and Khalil Awawdeh is part of its larger campaign to quell Palestinian resistance in recent months.

On August 9, Israeli forces killed four Palestinians in the West Bank, including notable Palestinian resistance fighter Ibrahim Nabulsi, “the lion of Nablus,” during a daytime military raid. Nabulsi’s killing is also connected to the ongoing struggle of hunger striker Khalil Awawdeh, who continues to be held under administrative detention in Ramleh Prison. All of these incidents are part of the same story — the Israeli campaign to eradicate Palestinian resistance.