American-Palestinian Adolescent Released Following Nine-Month Period in Israel's Custody
Zaher Ibrahim
A Palestinian-American adolescent having endured a nine-month period in imprisonment by Israel without charge has been freed.
The teenager Mohammed Ibrahim had just turned 15 during his detention last February in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, during a family visit from his Florida home for allegedly throwing stones toward Israeli settlers, claims he consistently denied.
The US state department expressed satisfaction with Mohammed's liberation.
Currently aged sixteen, needed medical care upon gaining freedom, relatives told the media.
They said he is showing signs of malnutrition, and is suffering from conditions contracted in captivity.
Via family representatives, family spokesperson expressed the family's "overwhelming sense of relief".
Family member Zeyad Kadur stated the family experienced "enduring a dreadful, continuous nightmare" over the last nine months.
"At this moment, our priority is getting Mohammed prompt healthcare he requires after experiencing mistreatment by authorities and cruel circumstances throughout his detention."
American authorities said it would continue to offer diplomatic assistance to Mohammed's family.
{"American leadership gives utmost importance to ensuring the safety of US citizens"," it added.
Twenty-seven US lawmakers had signed a letter to the state department and the administration, requesting additional efforts to secure his release.
Mr Ibrahim, parent of four children who runs an ice cream business based in Tampa, had earlier stated his child admitted guilt to throwing stones after being assaulted by soldiers.
The father hadn't visited or communicated with his son since the arrest, learning information solely what had happened to him via legal paperwork.
He stayed lacking indictment in Ofer prison throughout the occupied territory.
The facility also contains adult prisoners, featuring prisoners sentenced of serious terrorism offences including killings.
An estimated several hundred young Palestinian detainees currently imprisoned in Israel, according to the Israeli Prison Service.
Numerous remain uncharged along with monitoring agencies, including UN bodies, document cases involving abuse and torture.
Subsequent to his liberation, the uncle stated relatives would persist in advocating seeking justice for their relative family member Sayfollah.
The 20-year-old dual US citizen according to health authorities died from beating by Israeli settlers amid clashes during summer.
Initially, defense forces stated they were examining accounts of a Palestinian was deceased.
Mohammed and Sayfollah collaborated in the family ice cream shop in Tampa, Florida.
No indictments occurred with Sayfollah's killing.
"We expect United States leadership to protect our families," the uncle stated.
