American-Palestinian Adolescent Released After Nine Months in Israel's Custody
Zaher Ibrahim
A American-Palestinian adolescent who spent 270 days in Israel's custody without charge has been freed.
Mohammed Ibrahim had just turned 15 during his detention this past winter within the occupied West Bank, while he was vacationing on holiday from Florida accused of stone-throwing at Jewish settlers, allegations he repeatedly contested.
American diplomatic officials applauded the teenager's freedom.
Mohammed, now 16, was taken to hospital upon gaining freedom, family members reported.
According to them, he appears visibly pale and thin, while battling health issues developed during imprisonment.
Via family representatives, Mohammed's uncle conveyed their "overwhelming sense of relief".
Family member Zeyad Kadur said the family had been "living a horrific and endless nightmare" during the entire detention period.
"Currently, our priority is providing Mohammed with urgent medical care necessary for his recovery following exposure to mistreatment by authorities and cruel circumstances for months."
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"," officials stated.
Twenty-seven US lawmakers submitted a formal letter to diplomatic officials and the White House, urging greater action to release him.
The father, with four children who runs an ice cream business based in Tampa, previously said his child admitted guilt about rock throwing because the soldiers beat him.
He had not seen nor direct contact following the detention, and only heard about his son's condition through judicial records.
He stayed lacking indictment in Ofer prison on the West Bank.
The facility also contains adult prisoners, some of whom have been convicted for major terrorist activities and murder.
There are around 350 Palestinian child security detainees currently imprisoned in Israel, according to the Israeli Prison Service.
Many have never been charged while advocacy organizations, as well as the United Nations, document cases involving physical abuse and torture.
Following Mohammed's release, the uncle stated the family would also continue fighting for justice for his cousin their cousin Sayfollah.
The 20-year-old dual US citizen who the Palestinian health ministry said was beaten to death by settlement residents amid clashes in July.
During that period, military authorities reported authorities were looking into information regarding a civilian was deceased.
The two cousins were employed together at their family's ice cream business from Tampa.
No charges have been filed regarding Sayfollah's death.
"We expect US authorities to ensure our family's safety," Mr Kadur said.
