American-Palestinian Teenager Liberated Following Nine Months in Israel's Custody
Zaher Ibrahim
An Palestinian-American teenager who spent nine months in Israeli detention without charge gained freedom.
Mohammed Ibrahim had just turned 15 at the time of his arrest this past winter within the occupied West Bank, while he was vacationing on holiday from Florida accused of stone-throwing toward Israeli settlers, allegations he repeatedly contested.
The US state department said it welcomed the teenager's freedom.
Now sixteen years old, needed medical care for treatment immediately after release, according to close relatives.
According to them, he appears visibly pale and thin, and is suffering from conditions contracted in captivity.
Through an official statement, family spokesperson conveyed their "overwhelming sense of relief".
Family member Zeyad Kadur said the family had been "enduring a dreadful, continuous nightmare" during the entire detention period.
"Currently, we're concentrating on ensuring Mohammed receives prompt healthcare he needs after experiencing Israel's abuse and cruel circumstances over several months."
American authorities said it would continue to extend consular services to the teenager's relatives.
{"US government authorities has no higher priority to ensuring the safety of US citizens"," officials stated.
Twenty-seven US lawmakers endorsed a document to US authorities and the White House, requesting additional efforts to release him.
Mr Ibrahim, a father-of-four who runs an ice cream business in Florida, previously claimed his son only confessed about rock throwing due to physical abuse.
The father hadn't visited or spoken to Mohammed following the detention, learning information solely what had happened to him via legal paperwork.
The teenager remained lacking indictment within Ofer penitentiary in the West Bank.
It is also home to adult prisoners, including individuals found guilty for major terrorist activities including killings.
An estimated 350 Palestinian child security detainees detained within Israeli facilities, based on prison authority data.
Several lack formal charges along with monitoring agencies, including UN bodies, document cases involving physical abuse and torture.
After the teenager's freedom, the uncle stated they would maintain their efforts for justice for his cousin Sayfollah Musallet.
The 20-year-old dual US citizen per medical officials died from beating by settlement residents during a confrontation during summer.
Initially, military authorities reported authorities were looking into reports a Palestinian civilian had died.
Both young men collaborated at their family's ice cream business based in Florida.
No charges have been filed for the cousin's murder.
"We anticipate United States leadership to ensure our family's safety," the uncle stated.
