American-Palestinian Youth Freed Following 270 Days in Israel's Imprisonment
Zaher Ibrahim
An American-Palestinian youth who spent 270 days in Israeli detention without charge was released.
Mohammed Ibrahim was fifteen years old when he was arrested last February within the occupied West Bank, during a family visit from his Florida home under suspicion of rock throwing toward Israeli settlers, allegations he repeatedly contested.
American diplomatic officials said it welcomed the teenager's freedom.
Now sixteen years old, needed medical care upon gaining freedom, family members reported.
Family described him as visibly pale and thin, and experiencing medical problems contracted in captivity.
In a statement, the youth's uncle expressed the family's "tremendous relief".
Family member Zeyad Kadur stated the family experienced "surviving a terrible, unending nightmare" throughout the past nine months.
"At this moment, we're concentrating on providing Mohammed with the immediate medical attention necessary for his recovery after experiencing Israel's abuse and cruel circumstances throughout his detention."
US officials said it would continue to extend consular services to the teenager's relatives.
{"The Trump Administration gives utmost importance than the safety and security for United States citizens"," officials stated.
Twenty-seven US lawmakers had signed a letter to US authorities and the White House, requesting additional efforts to secure his release.
Mr Ibrahim, with four children who runs an ice cream business from Florida, previously claimed his son only confessed to throwing stones because the soldiers beat him.
He had not seen nor direct contact since February, learning information solely regarding the treatment in detention through court documents.
Mohammed was held lacking indictment in Ofer prison in the West Bank.
It is also home to grown detainees, including individuals found guilty regarding severe security violations and murder.
An estimated 350 Palestinian child security detainees being held in Israeli jails, according to the Israeli Prison Service.
Many have never been charged and human rights groups, as well as the United Nations, document cases involving abuse and torture.
After the teenager's freedom, Mr Kadur said the family would also continue fighting demanding accountability for their family member their cousin Sayfollah.
The 20-year-old dual US citizen according to health authorities succumbed to assault by radical settlers amid clashes last July.
Initially, the Israeli military said authorities were looking into reports a Palestinian civilian was deceased.
The two cousins were employed together in the family ice cream shop based in Florida.
No one has been charged for the cousin's murder.
"We expect the American government to ensure our family's safety," the uncle stated.
