Palestinian-American Youth Freed Following Nine-Month Period in Israel's Detention
Zaher Ibrahim
An American-Palestinian teenager having endured 270 days in imprisonment by Israel absent formal charges was released.
Mohammed Ibrahim was 15 when he was arrested last February within the occupied West Bank, while he was vacationing from his Florida home for allegedly throwing stones toward Israeli settlers, allegations he repeatedly contested.
The US state department said it welcomed Mohammed's liberation.
Mohammed, now 16, was taken to hospital right after being freed, according to close relatives.
They said he is pale, underweight, while battling health issues developed during imprisonment.
In a statement, the youth's uncle spoke of the family's "immense relief".
Zeyad Kadur described how relatives endured "living a horrific and endless nightmare" over the last nine months.
"At this moment, we are focused on getting Mohammed prompt healthcare he needs after being subjected to mistreatment by authorities and inhumane conditions over several months."
US officials stated they would maintain to provide consular support to Mohammed's family.
{"US government authorities gives utmost importance to the protection and welfare of US citizens"," the department emphasized.
Twenty-seven US lawmakers endorsed a document to diplomatic officials and President Donald Trump, urging greater action to release him.
Mr Ibrahim, with four children who runs an ice cream business from Florida, previously claimed his child admitted guilt regarding stone throwing because the soldiers beat him.
He had not seen or spoken to Mohammed following the detention, and only heard what had happened to him via legal paperwork.
Mohammed was held without charge within Ofer penitentiary throughout the occupied territory.
Additionally housing grown detainees, including individuals found guilty for major terrorist activities and homicide.
There are around 350 Palestinian minors in security custody currently imprisoned in Israel, per correctional service statistics.
Numerous remain uncharged and human rights groups, as well as the United Nations, document cases involving physical abuse and torture.
Following Mohammed's release, Mr Kadur said relatives would persist in advocating for justice for his cousin Sayfollah Musallet.
The dual national youth according to health authorities was beaten to death by radical settlers during a confrontation during summer.
At the time, the Israeli military said officials were investigating accounts of a Palestinian had been killed.
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 expect United States leadership to safeguard our relatives," family representatives emphasized.