Palestinian-American Teenager Freed After Nine Months in Israeli Imprisonment
Zaher Ibrahim
A American-Palestinian adolescent who spent nine months in Israeli detention without being charged has been freed.
Mohammed Ibrahim had just turned 15 during his detention in February in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, while he was vacationing from his Florida home under suspicion of rock throwing at Jewish settlers, which he previously denied.
The US state department applauded the news of Mohammed's release.
Now sixteen years old, needed medical care upon gaining freedom, family members reported.
According to them, he appears visibly pale and thin, and experiencing medical problems developed during imprisonment.
Through an official statement, the youth's uncle conveyed their "overwhelming sense of relief".
Family member Zeyad Kadur described how relatives endured "living a horrific and endless nightmare" during the entire detention period.
"Right now, we are focused on ensuring Mohammed receives prompt healthcare he requires after experiencing harsh conditions and cruel circumstances for months."
The state department stated they would maintain to provide consular support to the teenager's relatives.
{"The Trump Administration gives utmost importance to ensuring the safety for United States citizens"," it added.
Several congressional representatives had signed a letter to the state department and the administration, demanding more be done to release him.
Mohammed's parent, parent of four children managing a frozen treats business based in Tampa, previously said his child admitted guilt to throwing stones because the soldiers beat him.
There were no visits or spoken to Mohammed since the arrest, receiving updates exclusively what had happened to him via legal paperwork.
Mohammed was held without charge within Ofer penitentiary in the West Bank.
Additionally housing mature inmates, featuring prisoners sentenced regarding severe security violations and murder.
Approximately several hundred young Palestinian detainees currently imprisoned in Israel, based on prison authority data.
Many have never been charged along with monitoring agencies, including UN bodies, say some have suffered physical abuse and torture.
Subsequent to his liberation, the uncle stated they would maintain their efforts for justice for his cousin their cousin Sayfollah.
This young American-Palestinian who the Palestinian health ministry said died from beating by radical settlers following tensions during summer.
At the time, defense forces stated authorities were looking into accounts of a Palestinian had died.
Both young men collaborated within the family's frozen treats establishment based in Florida.
No charges have been filed for the cousin's murder.
"We anticipate US authorities to ensure our family's safety," family representatives emphasized.