The Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas said that Pompeo's reply on Maher al-Akhras hunger strike reflects the American support for Israel's crimes.

"The reply of the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo about the hunger-striking detainee Maher al-Akhras, who is protesting his arbitrary administrative detention, that "Israel has the right to defend itself and make the appropriate decisions" reflects the United States' support for the crimes committed against our people and its involvement in the violations of international law and humanitarian norms," said Hazem Qasem, Hamas spokesman.

Al-Akhras, 49, has been on hunger strike for 90 days in protest of his administrative detention without any charge or trial.