Gaza Flotilla Activist Nears Death After 39 Days on Hunger Strike in Tunisia Jail

Gaza solidarity activist Wael Naouar has been hospitalized in Tunisia after spending 39 days on hunger strike in protest against his detention, with a prominent rights group warning that he is in critical condition and “on the verge of death.”

Naouar was arrested in March alongside three other activists — Ghassen Henchiri, Ghassen Boughdiri and Nabil Channoufi — over allegations of financial misconduct linked to funds raised for the Global Sumud Flotilla, an international campaign supporting Gaza and challenging Israel’s blockade.

The four activists remain in pre-trial detention and have not been convicted of any offence.

Bassem Trifi, head of the Tunisian League for the Defence of Human Rights, said Naouar’s condition had become extremely serious. His lawyer said he had lost more than 20kg (44lb) and was experiencing widespread pain.

According to the National Committee for the Defence of Sumud Flotilla Activists, Naouar has also suffered repeated fainting, breathing difficulties and hallucinations.

The Gaza Sumud Flotilla organisation said Tunisian authorities had not provided his family or lawyers with information about his condition.

The activists are demanding that authorities drop the financial misconduct charges against them. Their appeal against the extension of their pre-trial detention was recently rejected.

At least 11 people were arrested in Tunisia on September 20 during a protest calling for the release of the detained activists.

Human Rights Watch has accused Tunisian authorities of using financial and criminal investigations against civil society activists. The Tunisian government rejects claims that the prosecutions are politically motivated, while President Kais Saied maintains that freedoms are protected, the judiciary is independent and no one is above the law.

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