Palestinian-American Teenager Liberated After Nine-Month Period in Israel's Detention
Zaher Ibrahim
An American-Palestinian adolescent who spent a nine-month period in imprisonment by Israel absent formal charges was released.
Mohammed Ibrahim was 15 when he was arrested last February throughout the West Bank territory, while he was vacationing from his Florida home under suspicion of rock throwing toward Israeli settlers, allegations he repeatedly contested.
United States authorities said it welcomed the teenager's freedom.
Currently aged sixteen, was taken to hospital upon gaining freedom, family members reported.
Family described him as showing signs of malnutrition, while battling health issues acquired while detained.
In a statement, family spokesperson conveyed their "overwhelming sense of relief".
Zeyad Kadur said the family had been "enduring a dreadful, continuous nightmare" throughout the past nine months.
"At this moment, we're concentrating on providing Mohammed with the immediate medical attention he requires after being subjected to harsh conditions and inhumane conditions over several months."
The state department said it would continue to extend consular services for the Ibrahim family.
{"American leadership 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 administration, demanding more be done to secure his release.
Mohammed's parent, a father-of-four who runs an ice cream business in Florida, had earlier stated Mohammed acknowledged allegations regarding stone throwing after being assaulted by soldiers.
The father hadn't visited or communicated with his son following the detention, receiving updates exclusively about his son's condition through judicial records.
Mohammed was held without charge at Ofer detention facility in the West Bank.
Additionally housing grown detainees, featuring prisoners sentenced regarding severe security violations and murder.
Approximately several hundred young Palestinian detainees currently imprisoned in Israel, according to the Israeli Prison Service.
Numerous remain uncharged and human rights groups, including UN bodies, report instances of mistreatment and torture.
Following Mohammed's release, family representatives announced they would maintain their efforts demanding accountability for their family member their cousin Sayfollah.
The dual national youth per medical officials died from beating by radical settlers following tensions last July.
Initially, defense forces stated officials were investigating accounts of a Palestinian had died.
The two cousins had worked together at their family's ice cream business in Tampa, Florida.
No charges have been filed with Sayfollah's killing.
"We demand the American government to ensure our family's safety," the uncle stated.
