Israel deployed an Iron Dome battery in Ashdod. Photo: Israel Defense Forces.

JNS.org – The Israeli military on Thursday deployed two Iron Dome missile defense system batteries in the country’s south, one in Ashdod and one in Beersheba. According to the Israel Defense Forces, the move was made due to concerns of an escalation of terrorist rocket fire at Israel should Palestinian hunger striker Mohammad Allan die, Israel Hayom reported.

Allan, an Islamic Jihad terrorist who in accordance with an Israeli High Court of Justice ruling is no longer an administrative detainee, remains hospitalized in intensive care at Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon. He informed doctors that his 65-day hunger strike was over and permitted them to administer full medical treatment, including feeding.

Barzilai hospital director Dr. Chezy Levy said Allan was conscious, no longer attached to a respirator, and receiving supplementary treatment to replenish severe nutritional shortages caused by his prolonged fast.

“Following the High Court’s decision in his regard, we are working to have him agree to receive the needed treatment and gradually mouth feed him,” Levy said.