American-Palestinian Teenager Freed After Nine-Month Period in Israeli Imprisonment
Zaher Ibrahim
An Palestinian-American adolescent who spent a nine-month period in Israel's custody without being charged was released.
The teenager Mohammed Ibrahim was fifteen years old during his detention this past winter within the occupied West Bank, during a family visit from his Florida home under suspicion of rock throwing at Jewish settlers, which he previously denied.
United States authorities said it welcomed Mohammed's liberation.
Currently aged sixteen, required hospitalization right after being freed, according to close relatives.
According to them, he appears showing signs of malnutrition, while battling health issues contracted in captivity.
In a statement, family spokesperson spoke of the family's "tremendous relief".
Family member Zeyad Kadur said the family had been "living a horrific and endless nightmare" throughout the past nine months.
"Right now, we're concentrating on ensuring Mohammed receives urgent medical care he requires following exposure to mistreatment by authorities and inhumane conditions over several months."
The state department announced ongoing to provide consular support to Mohammed's family.
{"US government authorities has no higher priority to ensuring the safety of US citizens"," the department emphasized.
Several congressional representatives submitted a formal letter to US authorities and the administration, requesting additional efforts to release him.
Mr Ibrahim, a father-of-four who runs an ice cream business based in Tampa, previously claimed his son only confessed about rock throwing due to physical abuse.
The father hadn't visited nor direct contact following the detention, and only heard what had happened to him in detention through court documents.
Mohammed was held without charge at Ofer detention facility in the West Bank.
It is also home to grown detainees, some of whom have been convicted regarding severe security violations including killings.
An estimated several hundred young Palestinian detainees being held in Israeli jails, according to the Israeli Prison Service.
Several lack formal charges while advocacy organizations, as well as the United Nations, document cases involving physical abuse and torture.
Following Mohammed's release, the uncle stated relatives would persist in advocating seeking justice for their relative family member Sayfollah.
The dual national youth according to health authorities succumbed to assault by Israeli settlers amid clashes during summer.
Initially, defense forces stated officials were investigating reports a Palestinian civilian had been killed.
Mohammed and Sayfollah collaborated in the family ice cream shop based in Florida.
No indictments occurred with Sayfollah's killing.
"We anticipate US authorities to protect our families," the uncle stated.
