Palestinian-American Youth Liberated Following Nine-Month Period in Israeli Imprisonment
Zaher Ibrahim
An Palestinian-American teenager who spent a nine-month period in Israel's custody absent formal charges gained freedom.
The teenager Mohammed Ibrahim was 15 during his detention this past winter in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, where he was visiting from his Florida home for allegedly throwing stones toward Israeli settlers, claims he consistently denied.
The US state department expressed satisfaction with the teenager's freedom.
Mohammed, now 16, needed medical care for treatment immediately after release, according to close relatives.
Family described him as visibly pale and thin, and experiencing medical problems acquired while detained.
In a statement, Mohammed's uncle spoke of the family's "tremendous relief".
The uncle, Zeyad Kadur said the family had been "enduring a dreadful, continuous nightmare" during the entire detention period.
"At this moment, we are focused on ensuring Mohammed receives the immediate medical attention he needs following exposure to mistreatment by authorities and inhumane conditions throughout his detention."
American authorities stated they would maintain to offer diplomatic assistance to Mohammed's family.
{"The Trump Administration has no higher priority than the safety and security for United States citizens"," officials stated.
Several congressional representatives had signed a letter to US authorities and the administration, demanding more be done to release him.
Mr Ibrahim, a father-of-four managing a frozen treats business from Florida, had earlier stated his son only confessed about rock throwing due to physical abuse.
He had not seen nor direct contact following the detention, and only heard about his son's condition through judicial records.
He stayed absent formal charges within Ofer penitentiary throughout the occupied territory.
Additionally housing adult prisoners, including individuals found guilty for major terrorist activities and murder.
Approximately 350 Palestinian child security detainees currently imprisoned in Israel, per correctional service statistics.
Numerous remain uncharged while advocacy organizations, as well as the United Nations, document cases involving abuse and torture.
After the teenager's freedom, the uncle stated the family would also continue fighting for justice for his cousin their cousin Sayfollah.
This young American-Palestinian according to health authorities was beaten to death by settlement residents during a confrontation in July.
At the time, defense forces stated authorities were looking into reports a Palestinian civilian was deceased.
Mohammed and Sayfollah collaborated within the family's frozen treats establishment from Tampa.
No indictments occurred for the cousin's murder.
"We expect the American government to safeguard our relatives," Mr Kadur said.
