Palestinians in jail hunger strikes

More than 6,000 Palestinians are held in Israel

Palestinian prisoners in four Israeli jails are staging a hunger strike in protest at Israeli prison conditions.

Police used tear gas to put down a riot on Thursday at Shikma high-security jail in the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon by prisoners protesting at curbs on their visiting rights.

"Prisoners in Beersheva, Nafha, Shatta and Hadarim decided to go on a one-day hunger strike in solidarity with their brothers in Shikma," said Issa Qaraqaa, head of the Prisoners' Club who contacted the inmates by telephone.

The issue of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails has been a stumbling block in the progress of the US-led peace process for the region.

Inmates can no longer shake hands and embrace their families Issa Qaraqaa, Prisoners' Club

The Palestinians say there are 6,000 prisoners they want freed from Israeli custody, but Israel has so far promised to release about 540.

The riot at Shikma prison broke out as a result of a decision to erect a plastic wall in the visiting area.

"Inmates can no longer shake hands and embrace their families as they were doing when there was just a fence," Mr Qaraqaa said.

Palestinian prisoners support groups claim as many as 1,800 prisoners have joined the strike.

Israel's prison service says the number is around 550.