BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- Ayman Sharawneh suspended his hunger strike on Sunday after 176 days because doctors warned he risked death, the minister of prisoner affairs said Sunday.

Issa Qaraqe told Ma'an that Sharawneh would suspend his protest for one week but will resume the strike if Israel does not release him.

Sharawneh was rearrested after his release in the Oct. 2011 prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas.

A lawyer for the prisoner rights group Addameer visited Sharawneh in Ramle prison clinic on Tuesday and said the 36-year-old was in immediate danger of death.

Sharawneh had lost his vision and was suffering severe kidney, liver and leg pains, the lawyer said.