Palestinian-American Youth Freed Following Nine Months in Israeli Detention
Zaher Ibrahim
A American-Palestinian adolescent who spent 270 days in Israel's custody without charge was released.
Mohammed Ibrahim had just turned 15 during his detention in February within the occupied West Bank, where he was visiting while residing in Florida accused of stone-throwing against settlement residents, claims he consistently denied.
The US state department said it welcomed the teenager's freedom.
Now sixteen years old, needed medical care right after being freed, family members reported.
According to them, he appears showing signs of malnutrition, while battling health issues acquired while detained.
Through an official statement, Mohammed's uncle expressed the family's "immense relief".
The uncle, Zeyad Kadur described how relatives endured "surviving a terrible, unending nightmare" over the last nine months.
"Currently, we are focused on ensuring Mohammed receives the immediate medical attention he requires after experiencing mistreatment by authorities and cruel circumstances for months."
US officials said it would continue to provide consular support to the teenager's relatives.
{"American leadership gives utmost importance to ensuring the safety of American nationals"," it added.
Several congressional representatives endorsed a document to the state department and the White House, requesting additional efforts to release him.
Mr Ibrahim, with four children operating an ice cream shop in Florida, previously claimed his son only confessed to throwing stones because the soldiers beat him.
There were no visits or communicated with his son following the detention, receiving updates exclusively about his son's condition through judicial records.
The teenager remained without charge at Ofer detention facility throughout the occupied territory.
Additionally housing adult prisoners, featuring prisoners sentenced of serious terrorism offences and murder.
Approximately several hundred young Palestinian detainees being held in Israeli jails, based on prison authority data.
Many have never been charged and human rights groups, as well as the United Nations, document cases involving mistreatment and torture.
Subsequent to his liberation, family representatives announced the family would also continue fighting for justice for his cousin family member Sayfollah.
The dual national youth per medical officials was beaten to death by radical settlers during a confrontation last July.
Initially, military authorities reported authorities were looking into information regarding a civilian was deceased.
Both young men were employed together at their family's ice cream business from Tampa.
No one has been charged regarding Sayfollah's death.
"We demand US authorities to safeguard our relatives," Mr Kadur said.
