- protest, with three other activists closely behind her at over 50 days.

Medical experts and historical data from the 1981 Irish hunger strike indicate
that the 60-day mark is a critical threshold where the risk of sudden death
becomes imminent.

At this advanced stage of starvation, the body has typically depleted all fat
reserves and is actively consuming its own vital organ and muscle tissue for
energy.

The heart muscle itself begins to break down, leading to a slow heart rate
(bradycardia), heart arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac failure.

By day 60, damage to the brain, liver, and kidneys is often permanent, even if
the person resumes eating.

Strikers may experience "progressive confusion," loss of hearing or sight, and
an inability to maintain speech or consciousness. Heba Muraisi has reportedly
already lost the ability to form full sentences.

Most individuals reach a state of complete physical exhaustion between 55 and 75
days, after which survival without medical intervention is considered unlikely.

Dr. James Smith, an NHS physician supporting the strikers, warned on December 29
that they are in a "critical and unpredictable" period where "sudden, severe and
unpredictable bodily dysfunction" can cause death at any moment.

United Nations experts and over 900 healthcare professionals have called on the
UK government to intervene, warning that the detainees are "at risk of organ
failure and death".
-- https://nitter.net/MintPressNews/status/2006426759181312244
MPN, 31 Dec 2025 · 6:06 PM UTC