American-Palestinian Youth Freed After Nine Months in Israel's Imprisonment
Zaher Ibrahim
An Palestinian-American adolescent after completing nine months in imprisonment by Israel absent formal charges was released.
The teenager Mohammed Ibrahim was fifteen years old when he was arrested in February within the occupied West Bank, during a family visit while residing in Florida accused of stone-throwing at Jewish settlers, allegations he repeatedly contested.
The US state department applauded the news of Mohammed's release.
Currently aged sixteen, was taken to hospital upon gaining freedom, relatives told the media.
They said he is showing signs of malnutrition, and experiencing medical problems contracted in captivity.
Via family representatives, the youth's uncle spoke of the family's "immense relief".
Family member Zeyad Kadur stated the family experienced "living a horrific and endless nightmare" throughout the past nine months.
"At this moment, our priority is providing Mohammed with urgent medical care he needs after experiencing Israel's abuse and inhumane conditions throughout his detention."
US officials stated they would maintain to provide consular support to the teenager's relatives.
{"US government authorities has no higher priority to the protection and welfare for United States citizens"," the department emphasized.
Twenty-seven US lawmakers submitted a formal letter to US authorities and the administration, urging greater action to release him.
The father, a father-of-four who runs an ice cream business in Florida, previously said Mohammed acknowledged allegations regarding stone throwing due to physical abuse.
The father hadn't visited or communicated with his son following the detention, receiving updates exclusively regarding the treatment via legal paperwork.
The teenager remained without charge at Ofer detention facility on the West Bank.
Additionally housing adult prisoners, including individuals found guilty for major terrorist activities including killings.
Approximately several hundred young Palestinian detainees being held in Israeli jails, according to the Israeli Prison Service.
Numerous remain uncharged while advocacy organizations, including UN bodies, document cases involving abuse and torture.
After the teenager's freedom, the uncle stated the family would also continue fighting for justice for his cousin family member Sayfollah.
The 20-year-old dual US citizen per medical officials was beaten to death by settlement residents following tensions last July.
During that period, defense forces stated officials were investigating accounts of a Palestinian had been killed.
The two cousins collaborated at their family's ice cream business in Tampa, Florida.
No charges have been filed with Sayfollah's killing.
"We expect the American government to safeguard our relatives," family representatives emphasized.
