UK hunger striker Heba Muraisi: ‘I think about how or when I could die’

EXCLUSIVEUK hunger striker Heba Muraisi: ‘I think about how or when I could die’The 31-year-old Palestine Action-linked remand prisoner tells Al Jazeera that she is suffering with pain as her 72-day protest reaches a critical stage.Published On 13 Jan 2026London, United Kingdom – Heba Muraisi, a Palestine Action-affiliated activist who has refused food for 72 days in prison, has told Al Jazeera that she “no longer feels hunger”, is suffering with pain and knows that her death may be imminent.The 31-year-old responded to questions via a friend who regularly visits her in New Hall prison in northern England.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Palestine Action hunger strikers near death ‘intent’ on continuing protestslist 2 of 4An urgent appeal to save the lives of Palestine Action hunger strikerslist 3 of 4Hunger strike for 70 days: How the body breaks down without foodlist 4 of 4Writers declare solidarity with prisoners on hunger strike for Palestineend of list“Physically, I am deteriorating as the days go by. I no longer feel hunger, I feel pain,” Muraisi said. “I don’t think about my life, I think about how or when I could die, but despite this, mentally I’ve never been stronger, more determined and sure, and most importantly, I feel calm and a great sense of ease.”Muraisi was arrested on November 19, 2024, over her alleged involvement in a break-in months earlier at the UK subsidiary of the Israeli defence firm Elbit Systems in Bristol.If she survives, she will have spent at least a year and a half in prison before her trial date, which is reportedly due no earlier than June this year – well beyond the UK’s usual six-month pre-trial detention limit.She is the longest-fasting hunger striker of a group of eight activists who have joined the rolling protest since early November. Four are currently refusing food, including Muraisi and Kamran Ahmed, a 28-year-old who has not eaten for more than two months.“Even though the risks may be lifelong consequences or a devastating end, I think it’s important to fight for justice and for freedom,” she told Al Jazeera.‘I can no longer read like how I used to’In recent weeks, the British media has intensified its coverage of the prison protest, said to be the largest coordinated hunger strike in British history since 1981, when Irish Republican inmates were led by Bobby Sands. Sands died on the 66th day of his protest, becoming a symbol of the Irish Republican cause. Nine others also died of starvation.