American-Palestinian Teenager Freed After Nine Months in Israel's Detention
Zaher Ibrahim
An Palestinian-American youth having endured a nine-month period in Israeli detention absent formal charges has been freed.
Mohammed Ibrahim was fifteen years old at the time of his arrest in February within the occupied West Bank, during a family visit while residing in Florida accused of stone-throwing against settlement residents, claims he consistently denied.
American diplomatic officials applauded the teenager's freedom.
Currently aged sixteen, needed medical care right after being freed, according to close relatives.
Family described him as showing signs of malnutrition, while battling health issues developed during imprisonment.
Through an official statement, Mohammed's uncle spoke of the family's "immense relief".
Zeyad Kadur said the family had been "enduring a dreadful, continuous nightmare" over the last nine months.
"Currently, we are focused on getting Mohammed the immediate medical attention necessary for his recovery following exposure to harsh conditions and inhumane conditions for months."
US officials announced ongoing to provide consular support for the Ibrahim family.
{"The Trump Administration has no higher priority than the safety and security of American nationals"," the department emphasized.
A group of American legislators submitted a formal letter to the state department and President Donald Trump, urging greater action to release him.
The father, with four children managing a frozen treats business in Florida, had earlier stated his child admitted guilt regarding stone throwing due to physical abuse.
He had not seen or spoken to Mohammed since February, receiving updates exclusively regarding the treatment in detention through court documents.
He stayed absent formal charges within Ofer penitentiary on the West Bank.
It is also home to mature inmates, some of whom have been convicted of serious terrorism offences including killings.
An estimated several hundred young Palestinian detainees currently imprisoned in Israel, based on prison authority data.
Many have never been charged along with monitoring agencies, and international organizations, report instances of mistreatment and torture.
After the teenager's freedom, family representatives announced the family would also continue fighting for justice for his cousin their cousin Sayfollah.
The 20-year-old dual US citizen who the Palestinian health ministry said died from beating by settlement residents following tensions in July.
Initially, military authorities reported they were examining 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 demand the American government to safeguard our relatives," Mr Kadur said.
