Activist Louis Allan has announced the launch of a ‘hunger strike’ and tree sit-in protest aiming to draw attention to the ongoing ‘siege conditions’ in Palestine with the strike set to begin on Monday.

“This protest is not only about what is happening in Palestine – it is also about those who are watching from afar with pain in their hearts, not knowing how to help,” Allan said.

He has announced plans to climb an olive tree at the Ayiou Prokopiou roundabout in Engomi, stay there and consume only the limited daily amount of water available to many Gazans, in what he described as an act of empathy and resistance.

The nearly weeklong demonstration, “symbolising the siege conditions experienced by millions of people in Gaza” is set to continue until Saturday noon, May 10.

While centred on the suffering in Gaza and the West Bank, Allan said that through his protest he also wished to express solidarity with civilians affected by the conflict, including Israelis critical of their government’s actions.