American-Palestinian Adolescent Freed Following Nine-Month Period in Israel's Detention
Zaher Ibrahim
A Palestinian-American adolescent who spent 270 days in imprisonment by Israel without being charged gained freedom.
Mohammed Ibrahim had just turned 15 at the time of his arrest last February throughout the West Bank territory, where he was visiting on holiday from Florida for allegedly throwing stones against settlement residents, which he previously denied.
American diplomatic officials said it welcomed the teenager's freedom.
Mohammed, now 16, needed medical care right after being freed, according to close relatives.
They said he is showing signs of malnutrition, and is suffering from conditions developed during imprisonment.
In a statement, Mohammed's uncle expressed the family's "overwhelming sense of relief".
The uncle, Zeyad Kadur described how relatives endured "surviving a terrible, unending nightmare" over the last nine months.
"Currently, we're concentrating on ensuring Mohammed receives prompt healthcare he requires after experiencing mistreatment by authorities and cruel circumstances over several months."
US officials said it would continue to extend consular services to Mohammed's family.
{"American leadership considers paramount than the safety and security of US citizens"," officials stated.
Twenty-seven US lawmakers endorsed a document to the state department and the White House, demanding more be done to release him.
Mohammed's parent, with four children who runs an ice cream business from Florida, previously said his child admitted guilt about rock throwing due to physical abuse.
The father hadn't visited nor direct contact since the arrest, learning information solely what had happened to him via legal paperwork.
Mohammed was held lacking indictment in Ofer prison in the West Bank.
The facility also contains adult prisoners, some of whom have been convicted of serious terrorism offences including killings.
An estimated 350 Palestinian minors in security custody detained within Israeli facilities, according to the Israeli Prison Service.
Numerous remain uncharged and human rights groups, as well as the United Nations, report instances of physical abuse and torture.
After the teenager's freedom, Mr Kadur said the family would also continue fighting for justice for his cousin family member Sayfollah.
The dual national youth who the Palestinian health ministry said was beaten to death by settlement residents following tensions last July.
Initially, military authorities reported they were examining accounts of a Palestinian had died.
Both young men had worked together within the family's frozen treats establishment from Tampa.
No one has been charged regarding Sayfollah's death.
"We demand US authorities to protect our families," the uncle stated.