Palestinian-American Teenager Freed After 270 Days in Israeli Detention
Zaher Ibrahim
A American-Palestinian youth after completing nine months in Israel's custody without being charged was released.
The teenager Mohammed Ibrahim had just turned 15 at the time of his arrest in February within the occupied West Bank, where he was visiting on holiday from Florida under suspicion of rock throwing against settlement residents, which he previously denied.
American diplomatic officials applauded the teenager's freedom.
Now sixteen years old, required hospitalization right after being freed, family members reported.
They said he is pale, underweight, and experiencing medical problems contracted in captivity.
Through an official statement, Mohammed's uncle conveyed their "tremendous relief".
Zeyad Kadur said the family had been "enduring a dreadful, continuous nightmare" during the entire detention period.
"At this moment, our priority is getting Mohammed urgent medical care he needs after being subjected to mistreatment by authorities and brutal treatment throughout his detention."
The state department said it would continue to extend consular services to the teenager's relatives.
{"US government authorities has no higher priority to ensuring the safety for United States citizens"," officials stated.
A group of American legislators submitted a formal letter to diplomatic officials and the White House, demanding more be done to secure his release.
Mohammed's parent, parent of four children who runs an ice cream business in Florida, had earlier stated his child admitted guilt about rock throwing after being assaulted by soldiers.
He had not seen nor direct contact since the arrest, and only heard about his son's condition in detention through court documents.
Mohammed was held lacking indictment in Ofer prison in the West Bank.
Additionally housing mature inmates, including individuals found guilty regarding severe security violations and homicide.
Approximately several hundred young Palestinian detainees being held in Israeli jails, based on prison authority data.
Several lack formal charges and human rights groups, and international organizations, document cases involving physical abuse and torture.
After the teenager's freedom, family representatives announced relatives would persist in advocating for justice for his cousin family member Sayfollah.
The 20-year-old dual US citizen per medical officials died from beating by settlement residents during a confrontation in July.
During that period, defense forces stated officials were investigating information regarding a civilian had been killed.
The two cousins were employed together in the family ice cream shop in Tampa, Florida.
No one has been charged regarding Sayfollah's death.
"We anticipate US authorities to ensure our family's safety," family representatives emphasized.
