Hunger-striking Palestinian prisoner Muhammad al-Qiq said on Thursday that he was not surprised the Israeli Supreme Court had delayed its decision on whether or not to release him, his lawyer said.

Lawyer Jawad Boulos said al-Qiq, who has been on a hunger strike for 65 days, confirmed that he would continue his strike until he was either released or dead.

Al-Qiq, a 33-year-old journalist from the occupied West Bank and father of two began his hunger strike in November to protest his administrative detention — internment without charge or trial.

On Wednesday, the Israeli Supreme delayed a decision on continuing or halting al-Qiq’s administrative detention until his medical condition had been examined.

An investigation by the rights group also revealed that al-Qiq had been mistreated and tortured during his administrative detention.

The PA prisoners’ committee also warned Tuesday that further deterioration of al-Qiq’s health or his potential death could have far-reaching consequences for Israel politically, including popular unrest among Palestinians held in Israeli prisons.

(MAAN)