Dozens of Palestinian prisoners who are on hunger strike are receiving close medical supervision, a spokesman for the Israel Prisons Service revealed.

More than 800 prisoners, all incarcerated in connection with the ongoing troubles in the region, have been on hunger strike for a month, demanding improved prison conditions such as 20 TV channels, air conditioning, unrestricted reading material, annual medical checks, family visits, public telephone usage and Open University studies.

Israel insists that its prisons meet international standards and has refused to negotiate with the inmates.

But now, according to spokesman Assaf Librati, it has emerged that a significant number of those involved have been transferred to special prison wings with medical staff since last week. A further two have been hospitalised, according to Mr Librati.

He said: “It means very basic care, and if a doctor feels (a prisoner) should go to the hospital, it’s done immediately, in an ambulance.”

The spokesman said that Marwan Barghouti, the organiser of the hunger strike and a convicted terrorist, remains in his cell.

Palestinians in the West Bank meanwhile staged protests against the international community’s lack of action on the matter.

“We came here to deliver a message that the UN needs to play its role in protecting our sons who are dying in Israeli jails,” said Majdi Ziadeh, whose son is among the prisoners.