Lebanese prisoners continue hunger strike into 18th day amid deteriorating health conditions

Dozens of Lebanese prisoners are continuing a hunger strike that has now stretched into its 18th day, with reports indicating that the medical condition of many of those involved has significantly deteriorated.

The inmates are protesting the suspension of an amnesty law, according to reports, arguing that its lapse has left them without a path to release that they had previously expected.

Rights advocates and medical observers have described the situation inside the facilities as increasingly dire, citing the prolonged nature of the strike and the physical toll it has taken on participating prisoners.

Prison conditions and the treatment of detainees have periodically drawn scrutiny from human rights organisations in Lebanon, particularly amid the country's broader economic and institutional strains in recent years.

It remains unclear whether Lebanese authorities plan to revisit the amnesty law or take other steps in response to the hunger strike, and no resolution to the standoff had been reported as of the latest updates.

Medical staff are said to be monitoring the affected prisoners, though details on specific interventions, transfers to hospital care, or numbers requiring urgent treatment have not been fully disclosed.

The prolonged strike underscores long-running concerns about prison conditions and judicial processes in Lebanon, an issue rights groups have repeatedly flagged as in need of reform.