Palestinian-American Teenager Freed Following Nine-Month Period in Israel's Detention
Zaher Ibrahim
An American-Palestinian youth who spent a nine-month period in imprisonment by Israel without being charged was released.
The teenager Mohammed Ibrahim was 15 at the time of his arrest last February throughout the West Bank territory, where he was visiting while residing in Florida under suspicion of rock throwing against settlement residents, claims he consistently denied.
American diplomatic officials applauded the news of Mohammed's release.
Mohammed, now 16, was taken to hospital upon gaining freedom, family members reported.
Family described him as pale, underweight, and is suffering from conditions acquired while detained.
Through an official statement, Mohammed's uncle conveyed their "tremendous relief".
The uncle, Zeyad Kadur described how relatives endured "enduring a dreadful, continuous nightmare" during the entire detention period.
"At this moment, we're concentrating on getting Mohammed urgent medical care he needs after being subjected to mistreatment by authorities and cruel circumstances for months."
US officials announced ongoing to extend consular services to Mohammed's family.
{"US government authorities has no higher priority to ensuring the safety of American nationals"," officials stated.
Several congressional representatives had signed a letter to US authorities and the White House, urging greater action for his freedom.
Mr Ibrahim, a father-of-four operating an ice cream shop based in Tampa, previously said his son only confessed regarding stone throwing because the soldiers beat him.
He had not seen or spoken to Mohammed following the detention, receiving updates exclusively regarding the treatment through judicial records.
Mohammed was held without charge at Ofer detention facility on the West Bank.
It is also home to adult prisoners, including individuals found guilty for major terrorist activities and murder.
An estimated 350 Palestinian child security detainees currently imprisoned in Israel, according to the Israeli Prison Service.
Many have never been charged and human rights groups, including UN bodies, report instances of abuse and torture.
Following Mohammed's release, the uncle stated relatives would persist in advocating demanding accountability for their family member their cousin Sayfollah.
This young American-Palestinian who the Palestinian health ministry said succumbed to assault by settlement residents following tensions in July.
At the time, the Israeli military said officials were investigating accounts of a Palestinian was deceased.
The two cousins were employed together at their family's ice cream business based in Florida.
No charges have been filed regarding Sayfollah's death.
"We demand the American government to ensure our family's safety," Mr Kadur said.
