American-Palestinian Teenager Liberated Following Nine Months in Israeli Detention
Zaher Ibrahim
A Palestinian-American teenager after completing a nine-month period in imprisonment by Israel without being charged has been freed.
Mohammed Ibrahim had just turned 15 at the time of his arrest in February in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, where he was visiting while residing in Florida under suspicion of rock throwing at Jewish settlers, which he previously denied.
American diplomatic officials expressed satisfaction with Mohammed's liberation.
Mohammed, now 16, required hospitalization upon gaining freedom, family members reported.
They said he is pale, underweight, and experiencing medical problems contracted in captivity.
Via family representatives, family spokesperson spoke of the family's "overwhelming sense of relief".
The uncle, Zeyad Kadur stated the family experienced "surviving a terrible, unending nightmare" over the last nine months.
"Currently, our priority is getting Mohammed urgent medical care necessary for his recovery after being subjected to harsh conditions and brutal treatment throughout his detention."
US officials said it would continue to extend consular services to Mohammed's family.
{"The Trump Administration considers paramount to the protection and welfare for United States citizens"," the department emphasized.
A group of American legislators submitted a formal letter to diplomatic officials and President Donald Trump, requesting additional efforts for his freedom.
The father, a father-of-four operating an ice cream shop from Florida, previously said his son only confessed regarding stone throwing due to physical abuse.
The father hadn't visited or spoken to Mohammed since the arrest, learning information solely regarding the treatment through judicial records.
Mohammed was held lacking indictment at Ofer detention facility on the West Bank.
It is also home to adult prisoners, including individuals found guilty regarding severe security violations and murder.
An estimated 350 Palestinian child security detainees being held in Israeli jails, per correctional service statistics.
Numerous remain uncharged and human rights groups, including UN bodies, report instances of abuse and torture.
Following Mohammed's release, family representatives announced relatives would persist in advocating seeking justice for their relative Sayfollah Musallet.
The dual national youth per medical officials was beaten to death by settlement residents following tensions in July.
During that period, military authorities reported authorities were looking into reports a Palestinian civilian was deceased.
Both young men were employed together in the family ice cream shop based in Florida.
No charges have been filed for the cousin's murder.
"We demand United States leadership to safeguard our relatives," family representatives emphasized.
