Jailed Egyptian activist Alaa Abdel-Fattah's family says they've seen proof he's alive

The family of jailed Egyptian-British rights activist Alaa Abdel-Fattah, who began refusing all food and water at the start of the COP27 climate conference last weekend, said on Monday they received a letter from him proving he was still alive.

"From today I'm drinking water again so you can stop worrying until you see me yourself," said the letter to Abdel-Fattah's mother, dated Saturday. His sister, Sanaa Seif, confirmed the letter was in the activist's handwriting.

"We're relieved to see proof of life. I can sleep today without nightmares. But we want this to be over. Our family deserves a break. We need to be reunited in peace," Seif said.