American-Palestinian Youth Freed After Nine-Month Period in Israel's Detention
Zaher Ibrahim
A Palestinian-American adolescent who spent nine months in Israeli detention without being charged has been freed.
The teenager Mohammed Ibrahim had just turned 15 at the time of his arrest in February throughout the West Bank territory, where he was visiting from his Florida home for allegedly throwing stones at Jewish settlers, which he previously denied.
The US state department expressed satisfaction with the news of Mohammed's release.
Currently aged sixteen, needed medical care for treatment immediately after release, family members reported.
Family described him as pale, underweight, while battling health issues developed during imprisonment.
Through an official statement, family spokesperson spoke of the family's "overwhelming sense of relief".
Family member Zeyad Kadur described how relatives endured "enduring a dreadful, continuous nightmare" during the entire detention period.
"Right now, we are focused on providing Mohammed with urgent medical care he needs following exposure to harsh conditions and cruel circumstances over several months."
US officials stated they would maintain to offer diplomatic assistance to the teenager's relatives.
{"The Trump Administration has no higher priority than the safety and security for United States citizens"," officials stated.
Twenty-seven US lawmakers submitted a formal letter to the state department and the administration, demanding more be done to release him.
Mohammed's parent, with four children operating an ice cream shop based in Tampa, previously said his son only confessed regarding stone throwing because the soldiers beat him.
The father hadn't visited nor direct contact following the detention, receiving updates exclusively about his son's condition via legal paperwork.
He stayed absent formal charges within Ofer penitentiary in the West Bank.
The facility also contains mature inmates, featuring prisoners sentenced of serious terrorism offences and murder.
There are around 350 Palestinian child security detainees detained within Israeli facilities, per correctional service statistics.
Several lack formal charges and human rights groups, and international organizations, say some have suffered physical abuse and torture.
Subsequent to his liberation, family representatives announced they would maintain their efforts seeking justice for their relative their cousin Sayfollah.
The 20-year-old dual US citizen per medical officials was beaten to death by radical settlers following tensions in July.
At the time, defense forces stated officials were investigating accounts of a Palestinian had been killed.
Mohammed and Sayfollah were employed together in the family ice cream shop based in Florida.
No one has been charged regarding Sayfollah's death.
"We anticipate the American government to ensure our family's safety," family representatives emphasized.
