SHIKMA, Israel, Aug. 1 (UPI) -- Palestinian prisoners upset with conditions in Israeli jails started a hunger strike Friday.
The one-day hunger strike came after guards at a high security jail in Shikma, a southern Israeli town, used tear gas Thursday to end a riot by prisoners.
A Palestinian representative, Issa Qaraqaa, told the BBC: "Prisoners in Beersheva, Nafha, Shatta and Hadarim decided to go on a one-day hunger strike in solidarity with their brothers in Shikma."
The Shikma riot centered on a decision to erect a wall in the jail's visiting area, preventing prisoners from having personal contact with their visitors.
The BBC said as many as 1,800 prisoners were reported participating in the hunger strike.
The Palestinians say all 6,000 Palestinian prisoners being held in Israeli jails should be freed. Israel has so far promised to release about 540.
