BAIT-UL-MOQADDAS Hamas accused Palestinian security forces on Monday of torturing one of its members Imad Awadallah. Imad Awadallah began an unlimited hunger strike 16 days ago to protest against torture which has continued since his arrest three months ago, the Hamas said in a statement. The statement said Palestinian West Bank Preventative Security Chief Jibril Rajub believes that torture should be used with Awadallah until he confesses.

Prisoners detained with Awadallah have told their relatives that he is no longer but a shadow of himself due to maltreatment. Hamas called on the Palestinian Authority to immediately free all political prisoners, saying that torture of detainees is a violation of human rights and calls into question the basis of national unity. (AFP)