Palestinian-American Youth Freed After Nine-Month Period in Israel's Custody
Zaher Ibrahim
A American-Palestinian adolescent who spent nine months in imprisonment by Israel without charge was released.
The teenager Mohammed Ibrahim was fifteen years old when he was arrested last February in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, during a family visit from his Florida home under suspicion of rock throwing against settlement residents, claims he consistently denied.
The US state department said it welcomed the teenager's freedom.
Mohammed, now 16, needed medical care for treatment immediately after release, relatives told the media.
They said he is visibly pale and thin, and experiencing medical problems contracted in captivity.
Through an official statement, Mohammed's uncle spoke of the family's "tremendous relief".
Zeyad Kadur described how relatives endured "living a horrific and endless nightmare" throughout the past nine months.
"Currently, we are focused on providing Mohammed with urgent medical care necessary for his recovery following exposure to Israel's abuse and inhumane conditions for months."
American authorities announced ongoing to offer diplomatic assistance to Mohammed's family.
{"US government authorities gives utmost importance to the protection and welfare of American nationals"," it added.
Twenty-seven US lawmakers submitted a formal letter to diplomatic officials and the administration, requesting additional efforts to secure his release.
Mohammed's parent, a father-of-four operating an ice cream shop based in Tampa, previously claimed Mohammed acknowledged allegations to throwing stones after being assaulted by soldiers.
He had not seen or communicated with his son following the detention, learning information solely regarding the treatment through judicial records.
Mohammed was held without charge within Ofer penitentiary on the West Bank.
The facility also contains adult prisoners, including individuals found guilty for major terrorist activities and homicide.
An estimated 350 Palestinian child security detainees currently imprisoned in Israel, based on prison authority data.
Many have never been charged along with monitoring agencies, and international organizations, document cases involving physical abuse and torture.
Subsequent to his liberation, the uncle stated relatives would persist in advocating demanding accountability for their family member their cousin Sayfollah.
The dual national youth according to health authorities died from beating by radical settlers amid clashes in July.
During that period, defense forces stated authorities were looking into information regarding a civilian was deceased.
Mohammed and Sayfollah collaborated at their family's ice cream business from Tampa.
No charges have been filed regarding Sayfollah's death.
"We expect the American government to protect our families," the uncle stated.
