Palestinian-American Teenager Liberated After Nine-Month Period in Israeli Imprisonment
Zaher Ibrahim
An American-Palestinian teenager after completing nine months in imprisonment by Israel without charge has been freed.
Mohammed Ibrahim was fifteen years old when he was arrested last February within the occupied West Bank, while he was vacationing on holiday from Florida accused of stone-throwing against settlement residents, claims he consistently denied.
United States authorities expressed satisfaction with the teenager's freedom.
Mohammed, now 16, required hospitalization for treatment immediately after release, family members reported.
According to them, he appears pale, underweight, and is suffering from conditions acquired while detained.
In a statement, the youth's uncle conveyed their "tremendous relief".
Zeyad Kadur described how relatives endured "enduring a dreadful, continuous nightmare" during the entire detention period.
"At this moment, we are focused on providing Mohammed with urgent medical care he requires following exposure to Israel's abuse and brutal treatment for months."
US officials stated they would maintain to provide consular support to the teenager's relatives.
{"US government authorities gives utmost importance to the protection and welfare for United States citizens"," the department emphasized.
Several congressional representatives had signed a letter to diplomatic officials and President Donald Trump, requesting additional efforts to secure his release.
The father, with four children operating an ice cream shop from Florida, had earlier stated Mohammed acknowledged allegations about rock throwing due to physical abuse.
He had not seen or spoken to Mohammed since February, learning information solely about his son's condition in detention through court documents.
Mohammed was held without charge within Ofer penitentiary in the West Bank.
It is also home to mature inmates, some of whom have been convicted of serious terrorism offences and murder.
An estimated several hundred young Palestinian detainees being held in Israeli jails, based on prison authority data.
Many have never been charged while advocacy organizations, and international organizations, report instances of abuse and torture.
After the teenager's freedom, family representatives announced relatives would persist in advocating for justice for his cousin family member Sayfollah.
The 20-year-old dual US citizen per medical officials died from beating by settlement residents amid clashes during summer.
Initially, defense forces stated authorities were looking into reports a Palestinian civilian had died.
The two cousins were employed together in the family ice cream shop from Tampa.
No indictments occurred regarding Sayfollah's death.
"We expect United States leadership to ensure our family's safety," Mr Kadur said.
