Eight prisoners affiliated with Palestine Action, a group later banned under terrorism legislation, have initiated hunger strikes while awaiting trial for alleged offences. These activists include Qesser Zuhrah, 20, and Amu Gib, 30, held at HMP Bronzefield; Heba Muraisi, 31, at HMP New Hall; Teuta Hoxha, 29; Kamran Ahmed, 28; and Lewie Chiaramello, 22, who refuses food every other day due to diabetes. Earlier in December, Jon Cink and Umer Khalid ended their respective 41-day and 13-day hunger strikes for health reasons, with both having been admitted to hospital before returning to prison.

The charges against the activists relate to alleged protest actions. Cink, Khalid, Chiaramello, and Gib are accused of breaking into RAF Brize Norton in June, where they allegedly damaged two military jets, with their trial not expected until 2027. Zuhrah, Muraisi, Hoxha, and Ahmed face charges concerning a break-in at the Israeli-linked defence firm Elbit Systems in 2024, with their trial slated for May next year at the earliest. All the accused deny the charges.

The hunger strikers' demands are multifaceted, including immediate bail, an end to the ban on Palestine Action, and the cessation of restrictions on their communications. They have also explicitly called for the shutdown of Elbit Systems. Lawyers representing the group have voiced strong criticism of David Lammy, the Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary, for his refusal to meet with them, asserting that he has failed to adhere to the Ministry of Justice’s (MoJ) own policy on managing hunger strikes.

Government figures have addressed the situation. Keir Starmer previously stated that “rules and procedures” were being followed. James Timpson, the prisons minister, affirmed that the Prison Service is “very experienced” in handling hunger strikes, possessing “robust and working” systems, but added that the service would “not be meeting” any prisoners or their representatives. Alan Campbell, the Commons leader, stated that the government was “not trying to break the bodies” of the protesters. A government spokesperson also highlighted that hunger strikes are not a new issue for prisons, with an average of over 200 per year, and maintained that claims of refused hospital care are "entirely misleading," as prisoners are taken for treatment when needed.

Concerns have been raised about the treatment of the hunger strikers. While the Prison Service cannot legally force-feed a prisoner refusing food or fluids, representatives of some strikers have alleged inadequate or delayed medical observations and treatment. For instance, it was claimed an ambulance was called for Qesser Zuhrah only after she spent a night requesting hospital transfer, and that her vital signs were taken intermittently, with insufficient electrolytes provided reportedly due to HMP Bronzefield running out. In response, an MoJ spokesperson stated that prisoners’ wellbeing is continually assessed, with appropriate action including hospital treatment, and that all cases are managed according to policy and consistent with prisoner rights. HMP Bronzefield added that any prisoner refusing food receives regular medical assessment, clinician support, and mental health support.

The health risks are severe. Seven prisoners have been hospitalized since commencing their strikes, with five admitted multiple times. Dr. James Smith, an emergency physician at University College London in contact with some activists, warned that some hunger strikers are "slowly dying." He explained that after approximately three weeks, the body exhausts fat stores and begins breaking down muscle and organ tissue, leading to a growing risk of sudden, severe, and unpredictable bodily dysfunction. Kamran Ahmed, for example, has been hospitalized three times, with his sister Shahmina Alam expressing deep concern about his deteriorating condition and the lack of updates from prison authorities when prisoners are hospitalized.

Families and supporters, including Shahmina Alam and Ella Moulsdale (Qesser Zuhrah's friend), have pleaded with David Lammy to meet them, emphasizing the humanitarian aspect and urging him to avoid a tragedy akin to the 1981 Irish republican hunger strikes. Francesca Nadin of Prisoners for Palestine underscored the grave danger to the strikers' lives and stated they are prepared to pursue legal action. Imran Khan & Partners, representing the hunger strikers, sent a legal letter claiming a "legitimate expectation" for a review meeting as per official policy, requesting a reply given the urgent health situation. The government, while concerned, is cautious about setting a precedent due to court backlogs, but officials are tasked with providing regular updates and encouraging prisoners to end their strikes. MoJ sources indicate limited additional powers for the department beyond current provisions.