The Israeli Public Prosecution has rejected to postpone the illegal imprisonment of Sheikh Raed Salah amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Commenting on the Israeli step, Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qasem said that such a n action reflects racism and barbarity of Israeli institutions against the Palestinian detainees.

Qasem pointed out that this decision demonstrated a continuous disregard for the lives of Palestinian detainees while the Israeli occupation violates humanitarian and international laws.

According to Salah’s lawyer Khaled Zabarqa, the head of the Islamic Movement is supposed to start his 17-month prison sentence on Wednesday.

Qasem called on international organisations and human rights groups to pressure the Israeli occupation to release all Palestinian detainees from its jails as it has failed to ensure their wellbeing and safety amid the COVID-19 epidemic.