Palestinian-American Youth Released After 270 Days in Israel's Detention
Zaher Ibrahim
A Palestinian-American youth having endured a nine-month period in Israel's custody without being charged was released.
Mohammed Ibrahim had just turned 15 at the time of his arrest in February within the occupied West Bank, during a family visit from his Florida home accused of stone-throwing at Jewish settlers, allegations he repeatedly contested.
The US state department said it welcomed Mohammed's liberation.
Mohammed, now 16, required hospitalization upon gaining freedom, family members reported.
According to them, he appears pale, underweight, and experiencing medical problems acquired while detained.
Through an official statement, Mohammed's uncle spoke of the family's "overwhelming sense of relief".
Family member Zeyad Kadur said the family had been "living a horrific and endless nightmare" over the last nine months.
"Currently, we're concentrating on providing Mohammed with urgent medical care he needs following exposure to Israel's abuse and inhumane conditions for months."
The state department said it would continue to extend consular services to the teenager's relatives.
{"American leadership gives utmost importance to the protection and welfare for United States citizens"," the department emphasized.
A group of American legislators submitted a formal letter to US authorities and the White House, requesting additional efforts to release him.
The father, a father-of-four who runs an ice cream business from Florida, previously said his son only confessed regarding stone throwing because the soldiers beat him.
He had not seen or spoken to Mohammed since the arrest, and only heard what had happened to him through judicial records.
Mohammed was held without charge in Ofer prison in the West Bank.
It is also home to grown detainees, some of whom have been convicted regarding severe security violations and homicide.
An estimated 350 Palestinian minors in security custody detained within Israeli facilities, per correctional service statistics.
Numerous remain uncharged along with monitoring agencies, as well as the United Nations, report instances of abuse and torture.
Following Mohammed's release, Mr Kadur said relatives would persist in advocating seeking justice for their relative their cousin Sayfollah.
The 20-year-old dual US citizen per medical officials succumbed to assault by radical settlers following tensions in July.
During that period, military authorities reported officials were investigating reports a Palestinian civilian was deceased.
Mohammed and Sayfollah had worked together in the family ice cream shop in Tampa, Florida.
No indictments occurred regarding Sayfollah's death.
"We demand United States leadership to protect our families," Mr Kadur said.
