BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) — Three members of Hamas being held in Palestinian Authority jails went on hunger strike this week to demand their release, a statement from the Islamist group said Saturday.

Osama Shahine, 28, has been on hunger strike for 3 days to protest his detention, having been arrested by PA security forces on Wednesday.

Loay Mazin Awad and Muhammad Saed Zamara from Hebron had earlier launched a hunger strike on August 20 to protest their detention, the statement added.

Awad was arrested on June 3 and Zamara on June 4.

Their families have paid fines exceeding 5,000 Jordanian Dinars ($7,000) to have the men released, but a judge informed them that the prosecution has refused to comply.

(www.maannews.net / 25.08.2012)