Palestinian-American Teenager Liberated After Nine-Month Period in Israel's Custody
Zaher Ibrahim
An Palestinian-American adolescent who spent a nine-month period in Israel's custody without charge was released.
Mohammed Ibrahim was fifteen years old when he was arrested last February in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, during a family visit from his Florida home accused of stone-throwing toward Israeli settlers, allegations he repeatedly contested.
American diplomatic officials applauded Mohammed's liberation.
Mohammed, now 16, needed medical care for treatment immediately after release, relatives told the media.
Family described him as pale, underweight, while battling health issues contracted in captivity.
In a statement, the youth's uncle expressed the family's "tremendous relief".
The uncle, Zeyad Kadur stated the family experienced "surviving a terrible, unending nightmare" during the entire detention period.
"Right now, we are focused on getting Mohammed the immediate medical attention he needs after being subjected to Israel's abuse and inhumane conditions for months."
US officials stated they would maintain to extend consular services to the teenager's relatives.
{"American leadership has no higher priority to the protection and welfare for United States citizens"," it added.
Several congressional representatives submitted a formal letter to the state department and the White House, demanding more be done to secure his release.
Mohammed's parent, a father-of-four who runs an ice cream business based in Tampa, had earlier stated Mohammed acknowledged allegations regarding stone throwing after being assaulted by soldiers.
He had not seen or communicated with his son since the arrest, learning information solely regarding the treatment via legal paperwork.
The teenager remained absent formal charges within Ofer penitentiary throughout the occupied territory.
It is also home to grown detainees, including individuals found guilty of serious terrorism offences and murder.
An estimated 350 Palestinian child security detainees being held in Israeli jails, per correctional service statistics.
Many have never been charged and human rights groups, including UN bodies, say some have suffered mistreatment and torture.
Subsequent to his liberation, Mr Kadur said relatives would persist in advocating for justice for his cousin Sayfollah Musallet.
The 20-year-old dual US citizen per medical officials died from beating by settlement residents during a confrontation last July.
Initially, the Israeli military said authorities were looking into accounts of a Palestinian had died.
The two cousins had worked together in the family ice cream shop from Tampa.
No one has been charged regarding Sayfollah's death.
"We anticipate United States leadership to protect our families," Mr Kadur said.
