American-Palestinian Teenager Released After Nine Months in Israel's Imprisonment
Zaher Ibrahim
An American-Palestinian youth having endured a nine-month period in Israel's custody without being charged has been freed.
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 toward Israeli settlers, claims he consistently denied.
United States authorities said it welcomed Mohammed's liberation.
Now sixteen years old, was taken to hospital right after being freed, family members reported.
Family described him as showing signs of malnutrition, while battling health issues contracted in captivity.
In a statement, family spokesperson spoke of the family's "overwhelming sense of relief".
Family member Zeyad Kadur said the family had been "surviving a terrible, unending nightmare" over the last nine months.
"Right now, our priority is getting Mohammed the immediate medical attention necessary for his recovery after experiencing mistreatment by authorities and inhumane conditions for months."
The state department stated they would maintain to provide consular support for the Ibrahim family.
{"American leadership considers paramount to the protection and welfare of American nationals"," officials stated.
Twenty-seven US lawmakers submitted a formal letter to US authorities and the White House, demanding more be done to release him.
The father, a father-of-four operating an ice cream shop in Florida, had earlier stated Mohammed acknowledged allegations about rock throwing after being assaulted by soldiers.
There were no visits or spoken to Mohammed following the detention, and only heard regarding the treatment via legal paperwork.
He stayed without charge within Ofer penitentiary in the West Bank.
It is also home to adult prisoners, featuring prisoners sentenced regarding severe security violations and murder.
There are around 350 Palestinian minors in security custody being held in Israeli jails, according to the Israeli Prison Service.
Several lack formal charges while advocacy organizations, including UN bodies, document cases involving abuse and torture.
Subsequent to his liberation, family representatives announced the family would also continue fighting seeking justice for their relative their cousin Sayfollah.
The dual national youth according to health authorities died from beating by radical settlers during a confrontation last July.
During that period, military authorities reported authorities were looking into reports a Palestinian civilian was deceased.
Both young men collaborated in the family ice cream shop in Tampa, Florida.
No charges have been filed with Sayfollah's killing.
"We anticipate the American government to protect our families," the uncle stated.