More prisoners join hunger strike at Guantanamo Bay

Almost half the prisoners at Guantanamo Bay are on a hunger strike according to a U.S. official.

The military spokesman says the number has gone up to seventy-seven ... an increase of twenty-five in just the past few days.

Lieutenant Colonel Samuel House says there are seventeen prisoners currently being force-fed with tubes.

And five have reportedly been admitted to hospital, but without life-threatening conditions.

As reported by Al-Jazeera News, the U.S. run military prison has been hit by hunger strikes since early February.

Back then, inmates said prison officials searched their Qurans for contraband, but officials have denied it.

Now, the prisoners are protesting against jailing without charge or trial.

And conditions at the prison are deteriorating.

U.S. Military Policeman and former Guantanamo guard said prisoners have been beaten and humiliated regularly.

International Lawyer Bill O’Neill said anyone involved in planning, ordering or overseeing acts that constitute torture ... should be investigated and prosecuted if the evidence indicates it.

In 2011, U.S. President Barack Obama demanded the prison be shut down... But there are still no current plans to close it.

STORY WRITTEN BY: KURT WEISS