Palestinian-American Adolescent Released Following Nine-Month Period in Israel's Imprisonment
Zaher Ibrahim
An American-Palestinian teenager who spent nine months in Israeli detention without charge was released.
The teenager Mohammed Ibrahim had just turned 15 when he was arrested last February within the occupied West Bank, during a family visit on holiday from Florida accused of stone-throwing toward Israeli settlers, which he previously denied.
The US state department said it welcomed the news of Mohammed's release.
Mohammed, now 16, needed medical care right after being freed, family members reported.
According to them, he appears visibly pale and thin, and experiencing medical problems acquired while detained.
Via family representatives, family spokesperson spoke of the family's "overwhelming sense of relief".
The uncle, Zeyad Kadur stated the family experienced "living a horrific and endless nightmare" over the last nine months.
"At this moment, we're concentrating on ensuring Mohammed receives urgent medical care he requires after experiencing harsh conditions and brutal treatment for months."
The state department said it would continue to extend consular services for the Ibrahim family.
{"American leadership has no higher priority to ensuring the safety for United States citizens"," it added.
A group of American legislators had signed a letter to US authorities and President Donald Trump, demanding more be done to release him.
The father, a father-of-four operating an ice cream shop in Florida, previously claimed Mohammed acknowledged allegations to throwing stones because the soldiers beat him.
He had not seen nor direct contact since February, learning information solely regarding the treatment via legal paperwork.
Mohammed was held lacking indictment in Ofer prison throughout the occupied territory.
It is also home to grown detainees, featuring prisoners sentenced of serious terrorism offences and murder.
Approximately several hundred young Palestinian detainees currently imprisoned in Israel, according to the Israeli Prison Service.
Several lack formal charges while advocacy organizations, as well as the United Nations, say some have suffered abuse and torture.
Following Mohammed's release, Mr Kadur said the family would also continue fighting for justice for his cousin family member Sayfollah.
This young American-Palestinian per medical officials succumbed to assault by settlement residents following tensions during summer.
At the time, military authorities reported officials were investigating reports a Palestinian civilian had died.
Mohammed and Sayfollah were employed together within the family's frozen treats establishment in Tampa, Florida.
No one has been charged with Sayfollah's killing.
"We expect the American government to ensure our family's safety," the uncle stated.
