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The Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) movementÌýon Thursday said it is "ready" forÌýconfrontation with Israel whileÌýhundreds of Palestinian prisonersÌýrefuse food to protestÌýconditions in Israeli jails.

The Al-Quds Brigades, the movement's military wing, said in a press statement received by °®Âþµº that itÌýhasÌýmobilised its fighters and isÌýready forÌýclashes with Israel.Ìý

"We received the statement of the Secretary-General, Commander Ziad al-Nakhala, about what our heroic prisoners are being subjected to in the prisons of the enemy with high responsibility," the Al-Quds brigades said in its statement.Ìý

"We announce the general mobilisation in the ranks of our fighters, and we are fully prepared, and we are at the ready for any possible fighting with Israel."Ìý

Al-Nakhala warnedÌýon Wednesday of the possibility of a war erupting due to "the occupation practices against the Palestinian prisoners in Zionist prisons."

Al-Nakhala's remarks came after the Palestinian Prisoners Club (PPC) rights group announced that 250 PIJ-affiliated detainees inÌýIsraeli prisons began an open hunger strike to protest the harsh measures against them.

Since the Gilboa prison break in early September, when six Palestinian prisoners escaped from a high-security jail, Israeli authorities have carried out a crackdown within jails, separating and transferring hundreds of inmates.