American-Palestinian Adolescent Liberated After Nine Months in Israeli Detention

Zaher Ibrahim

A Palestinian-American youth who spent a nine-month period in imprisonment by Israel absent formal charges has been freed.

The teenager Mohammed Ibrahim was 15 when he was arrested in February throughout the West Bank territory, where he was visiting while residing in Florida for allegedly throwing stones against settlement residents, which he previously denied.

The US state department expressed satisfaction with the teenager's freedom.

Mohammed, now 16, was taken to hospital upon gaining freedom, according to close relatives.

Family described him as showing signs of malnutrition, while battling health issues acquired while detained.

In a statement, Mohammed's uncle expressed the family's "overwhelming sense of relief".

The uncle, Zeyad Kadur said the family had been "enduring a dreadful, continuous nightmare" during the entire detention period.

"Right now, we are focused on ensuring Mohammed receives prompt healthcare necessary for his recovery after being subjected to mistreatment by authorities and inhumane conditions throughout his detention."

The state department announced ongoing to provide consular support to the teenager's relatives.

{"American leadership gives utmost importance than the safety and security for United States citizens"," the department emphasized.

Twenty-seven US lawmakers submitted a formal letter to the state department and the administration, requesting additional efforts for his freedom.

Mr Ibrahim, a father-of-four who runs an ice cream business from Florida, had earlier stated his child admitted guilt to throwing stones due to physical abuse.

There were no visits or communicated with his son following the detention, and only heard what had happened to him through judicial records.

Mohammed was held lacking indictment in Ofer prison in the West Bank.

The facility also contains grown detainees, including individuals found guilty of serious terrorism offences and murder.

There are around 350 Palestinian child security detainees currently imprisoned in Israel, per correctional service statistics.

Numerous remain uncharged and human rights groups, and international organizations, say some have suffered abuse and torture.

Following Mohammed's release, the uncle stated the family would also continue fighting for justice for his cousin Sayfollah Musallet.

This young American-Palestinian who the Palestinian health ministry said succumbed to assault by radical settlers amid clashes last July.

During that period, the Israeli military said they were examining reports a Palestinian civilian had died.

The two cousins were employed together in the family ice cream shop based in Florida.

No one has been charged regarding Sayfollah's death.

"We expect United States leadership to ensure our family's safety," the uncle stated.