Palestinian-American Youth Freed Following Nine-Month Period in Israel's Imprisonment

Zaher Ibrahim Zaher Ibrahim

An American-Palestinian teenager having endured nine months in imprisonment by Israel without charge gained freedom.

The teenager Mohammed Ibrahim was fifteen years old at the time of his arrest last February in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, during a family visit from his Florida home for allegedly throwing stones at Jewish settlers, allegations he repeatedly contested.

The US state department said it welcomed Mohammed's liberation.

Mohammed, now 16, needed medical care for treatment immediately after release, according to close relatives.

According to them, he appears showing signs of malnutrition, and experiencing medical problems contracted in captivity.

Through an official statement, Mohammed's uncle conveyed their "overwhelming sense of relief".

Family member Zeyad Kadur stated the family experienced "surviving a terrible, unending nightmare" throughout the past nine months.

"At this moment, we are focused on getting Mohammed the immediate medical attention he requires after experiencing Israel's abuse and inhumane conditions for months."

US officials announced ongoing to provide consular support for the Ibrahim family.

{"US government authorities has no higher priority than the safety and security for United States citizens"," it added.

Several congressional representatives had signed a letter to US authorities and President Donald Trump, requesting additional efforts to release him.

Mr Ibrahim, parent of four children operating an ice cream shop based in Tampa, previously said his son only confessed regarding stone throwing after being assaulted by soldiers.

There were no visits nor direct contact following the detention, learning information solely what had happened to him in detention through court documents.

Mohammed was held lacking indictment in Ofer prison on the West Bank.

It is also home to grown detainees, featuring prisoners sentenced of serious terrorism offences and homicide.

There are around several hundred young Palestinian detainees currently imprisoned in Israel, according to the Israeli Prison Service.

Several lack formal charges and human rights groups, as well as the United Nations, say some have suffered physical abuse and torture.

After the teenager's freedom, Mr Kadur said relatives would persist in advocating demanding accountability for their family member their cousin Sayfollah.

This young American-Palestinian who the Palestinian health ministry said died from beating by radical settlers amid clashes during summer.

During that period, military authorities reported they were examining information regarding a civilian had been killed.

Both young men collaborated at their family's ice cream business from Tampa.

No one has been charged for the cousin's murder.

"We demand US authorities to ensure our family's safety," Mr Kadur said.

Pamela Swanson
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