American-Palestinian Teenager Liberated After 270 Days in Israeli Imprisonment
Zaher Ibrahim
An Palestinian-American teenager after completing 270 days in Israel's custody without charge has been freed.
The teenager Mohammed Ibrahim had just turned 15 when he was arrested this past winter in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, during a family visit while residing in Florida for allegedly throwing stones at Jewish settlers, allegations he repeatedly contested.
United States authorities said it welcomed Mohammed's liberation.
Currently aged sixteen, was taken to hospital upon gaining freedom, according to close relatives.
They said he is pale, underweight, and is suffering from conditions developed during imprisonment.
Through an official statement, family spokesperson conveyed their "immense relief".
Zeyad Kadur described how relatives endured "enduring a dreadful, continuous nightmare" throughout the past nine months.
"At this moment, our priority is providing Mohammed with urgent medical care he needs after being subjected to mistreatment by authorities and cruel circumstances for months."
US officials stated they would maintain to offer diplomatic assistance to the teenager's relatives.
{"The Trump Administration has no higher priority to the protection and welfare of US citizens"," the department emphasized.
Several congressional representatives submitted a formal letter to diplomatic officials and the White House, demanding more be done to release him.
The father, parent of four children operating an ice cream shop in Florida, previously said his son only confessed to throwing stones due to physical abuse.
There were no visits or spoken to Mohammed following the detention, and only heard about his son's condition via legal paperwork.
The teenager remained lacking indictment at Ofer detention facility throughout the occupied territory.
It is also home to mature inmates, featuring prisoners sentenced regarding severe security violations and murder.
There are around 350 Palestinian minors in security custody being held in Israeli jails, per correctional service statistics.
Many have never been charged along with monitoring agencies, including UN bodies, say some have suffered mistreatment and torture.
After the teenager's freedom, family representatives announced relatives would persist in advocating seeking justice for their relative family member Sayfollah.
The 20-year-old dual US citizen according to health authorities succumbed to assault by radical settlers following tensions in July.
Initially, military authorities reported they were examining information regarding a civilian had been killed.
Mohammed and Sayfollah collaborated at their family's ice cream business based in Florida.
No charges have been filed with Sayfollah's killing.
"We expect United States leadership to protect our families," family representatives emphasized.
