American-Palestinian Youth Released Following Nine Months in Israeli Detention
Zaher Ibrahim
A American-Palestinian adolescent who spent a nine-month period in Israel's custody absent formal charges has been freed.
Mohammed Ibrahim was fifteen years old at the time of his arrest this past winter within the occupied West Bank, during a family visit from his Florida home for allegedly throwing stones toward Israeli settlers, allegations he repeatedly contested.
United States authorities expressed satisfaction with the news of Mohammed's release.
Now sixteen years old, required hospitalization upon gaining freedom, according to close relatives.
They said he is showing signs of malnutrition, while battling health issues acquired while detained.
In a statement, Mohammed's uncle spoke of the family's "overwhelming sense of relief".
Zeyad Kadur said the family had been "surviving a terrible, unending nightmare" throughout the past nine months.
"Currently, our priority is getting Mohammed urgent medical care he needs after being subjected to harsh conditions and brutal treatment for months."
US officials announced ongoing to extend consular services to the teenager's relatives.
{"US government authorities has no higher priority to the protection and welfare for United States citizens"," officials stated.
Several congressional representatives had signed a letter to US authorities and the administration, requesting additional efforts to release him.
The father, with four children managing a frozen treats business from Florida, previously said his child admitted guilt to throwing stones due to physical abuse.
He had not seen or communicated with his son following the detention, and only heard about his son's condition through judicial records.
The teenager remained without charge at Ofer detention facility throughout the occupied territory.
The facility also contains mature inmates, featuring prisoners sentenced regarding severe security violations including killings.
An estimated 350 Palestinian child security detainees being held in Israeli jails, based on prison authority data.
Several lack formal charges and human rights groups, including UN bodies, report instances of physical abuse and torture.
Following Mohammed's release, Mr Kadur said relatives would persist in advocating seeking justice for their relative their cousin Sayfollah.
The dual national youth according to health authorities died from beating by radical settlers following tensions during summer.
During that period, military authorities reported authorities were looking into reports a Palestinian civilian had died.
Both young men were employed together in the family ice cream shop based in Florida.
No indictments occurred with Sayfollah's killing.
"We anticipate United States leadership to protect our families," the uncle stated.
