American-Palestinian Adolescent Released After 270 Days in Israel's Imprisonment
Zaher Ibrahim
A American-Palestinian youth who spent nine months in Israeli detention without being charged has been freed.
The teenager Mohammed Ibrahim had just turned 15 when he was arrested this past winter in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, while he was vacationing while residing in Florida for allegedly throwing stones at Jewish settlers, claims he consistently denied.
The US state department said it welcomed the teenager's freedom.
Now sixteen years old, was taken to hospital right after being freed, according to close relatives.
Family described him as showing signs of malnutrition, and experiencing medical problems developed during imprisonment.
In a statement, Mohammed's uncle expressed the family's "immense relief".
Family member Zeyad Kadur stated the family experienced "surviving a terrible, unending nightmare" during the entire detention period.
"Right now, we are focused on getting Mohammed prompt healthcare necessary for his recovery after being subjected to mistreatment by authorities and inhumane conditions throughout his detention."
American authorities said it would continue to offer diplomatic assistance to the teenager's relatives.
{"American leadership considers paramount than the safety and security for United States citizens"," it added.
Twenty-seven US lawmakers submitted a formal letter to diplomatic officials and the administration, demanding more be done to release him.
The father, with four children who runs an ice cream business based in Tampa, previously claimed his son only confessed regarding stone throwing because the soldiers beat him.
The father hadn't visited or spoken to Mohammed since the arrest, learning information solely what had happened to him through judicial records.
The teenager remained without charge at Ofer detention facility on the West Bank.
Additionally housing grown detainees, including individuals found guilty of serious terrorism offences including killings.
Approximately 350 Palestinian minors in security custody detained within Israeli facilities, according to the Israeli Prison Service.
Numerous remain uncharged and human rights groups, including UN bodies, say some have suffered mistreatment and torture.
After the teenager's freedom, family representatives announced they would maintain their efforts for justice for his cousin Sayfollah Musallet.
The 20-year-old dual US citizen who the Palestinian health ministry said was beaten to death by radical settlers during a confrontation last July.
Initially, the Israeli military said officials were investigating accounts of a Palestinian was deceased.
The two cousins had worked together at their family's ice cream business in Tampa, Florida.
No one has been charged for the cousin's murder.
"We demand United States leadership to safeguard our relatives," the uncle stated.