Palestinian-American Adolescent Released After 270 Days in Israeli Imprisonment
Zaher Ibrahim
A Palestinian-American adolescent who spent nine months in Israeli detention without being charged has been freed.
The teenager Mohammed Ibrahim was 15 when he was arrested in February throughout the West Bank territory, while he was vacationing while residing in Florida accused of stone-throwing toward Israeli settlers, which he previously denied.
American diplomatic officials said it welcomed the teenager's freedom.
Mohammed, now 16, needed medical care upon gaining freedom, according to close relatives.
They said he is pale, underweight, and is suffering from conditions contracted in captivity.
Through an official statement, family spokesperson expressed the family's "tremendous relief".
The uncle, Zeyad Kadur stated the family experienced "surviving a terrible, unending nightmare" over the last nine months.
"Currently, our priority is ensuring Mohammed receives prompt healthcare he requires following exposure to Israel's abuse and cruel circumstances over several months."
American authorities said it would continue to extend consular services for the Ibrahim family.
{"The Trump Administration has no higher priority than the safety and security of US citizens"," it added.
Several congressional representatives submitted a formal letter to diplomatic officials and the administration, requesting additional efforts to secure his release.
The father, with four children managing a frozen treats business based in Tampa, previously claimed his son only confessed regarding stone throwing because the soldiers beat him.
He had not seen or spoken to Mohammed since the arrest, and only heard what had happened to him through judicial records.
The teenager remained without charge within Ofer penitentiary throughout the occupied territory.
It is also home to adult prisoners, some of whom have been convicted of serious terrorism offences including killings.
An estimated 350 Palestinian minors in security custody currently imprisoned in Israel, according to the Israeli Prison Service.
Many have never been charged and human rights groups, as well as the United Nations, report instances of mistreatment and torture.
After the teenager's freedom, family representatives announced the family would also continue fighting demanding accountability for their family member their cousin Sayfollah.
The dual national youth according to health authorities died from beating by settlement residents following tensions last July.
At the time, defense forces stated they were examining information regarding a civilian had died.
Mohammed and Sayfollah collaborated in the family ice cream shop from Tampa.
No one has been charged for the cousin's murder.
"We demand United States leadership to safeguard our relatives," family representatives emphasized.