Two detainees at the Guantanamo Bay naval base who revived a hunger strike are still refusing meals and will be fed intravenously if they do not eat by tomorrow, according to US military officials.
"We're hoping that they're considering the importance of their lives," said spokesman Major James Bell.
"We'll do everything we can to help them because that's a priority for us, the humane treatment of the detainees, and that includes preserving their lives."
The two have been characterised by officials as the most "hardcore" of the detainees at Camp X-ray.
The hunger strike is an effort to protest about their uncertain future at the detention centre, which holds 300 men suspected of links to the fallen Taliban regime of Afghanistan or the al Qaida terrorist network.
"Their refusal to eat was not a religious decision. It was an individual choice that they made," Major Bell said.
The mission's Muslim chaplain, Lieutenant Abuhena Saiful-Islam, met the detainees today to "make every effort to encourage them to eat," Major Bell said.
The men came to the camp's hospital about three days ago. They have been receiving intravenous fluids to keep them hydrated and have been separated from the other detainees being treated there.
Major Bell said he believed the men - who had been regularly refusing meals since March 1 ate at least once about two weeks ago.
On Thursday, 45 detainees refused meals, the highest number in recent weeks.
AP