American-Palestinian Adolescent Released Following Nine Months in Israeli Detention
Zaher Ibrahim
A American-Palestinian youth who spent nine months in Israel's custody absent formal charges has been freed.
Mohammed Ibrahim was fifteen years old at the time of his arrest this past winter within the occupied West Bank, where he was visiting while residing in Florida for allegedly throwing stones toward Israeli settlers, which he previously denied.
American diplomatic officials said it welcomed the teenager's freedom.
Currently aged sixteen, required hospitalization upon gaining freedom, family members reported.
They said he is showing signs of malnutrition, while battling health issues acquired while detained.
Via family representatives, family spokesperson expressed the family's "tremendous relief".
Family member Zeyad Kadur stated the family experienced "surviving a terrible, unending nightmare" over the last nine months.
"Right now, we're concentrating on providing Mohammed with urgent medical care necessary for his recovery after being subjected to Israel's abuse and cruel circumstances throughout his detention."
US officials said it would continue to provide consular support to the teenager's relatives.
{"American leadership gives utmost importance than the safety and security for United States citizens"," it added.
A group of American legislators had signed a letter to diplomatic officials and President Donald Trump, urging greater action to secure his release.
The father, a father-of-four managing a frozen treats business based in Tampa, had earlier stated his son only confessed about rock throwing after being assaulted by soldiers.
The father hadn't visited or spoken to Mohammed since February, and only heard about his son's condition in detention through court documents.
Mohammed was held absent formal charges at Ofer detention facility on the West Bank.
The facility also contains grown detainees, including individuals found guilty of serious terrorism offences and homicide.
There are around several hundred young Palestinian detainees being held in Israeli jails, based on prison authority data.
Numerous remain uncharged along with monitoring agencies, as well as the United Nations, document cases involving abuse and torture.
Subsequent to his liberation, the uncle stated they would maintain their efforts for justice for his cousin Sayfollah Musallet.
The dual national youth according to health authorities was beaten to death by radical settlers following tensions last July.
At the time, defense forces stated authorities were looking into reports a Palestinian civilian had died.
The two cousins were employed together in the family ice cream shop based in Florida.
No charges have been filed regarding Sayfollah's death.
"We expect United States leadership to ensure our family's safety," family representatives emphasized.
