American-Palestinian Youth Released After Nine Months in Israeli Imprisonment

Zaher Ibrahim

A American-Palestinian teenager who spent a nine-month period in imprisonment by Israel absent formal charges has been freed.

Mohammed Ibrahim was 15 during his detention this past winter throughout the West Bank territory, where he was visiting on holiday from Florida for allegedly throwing stones against settlement residents, which he previously denied.

United States authorities said it welcomed Mohammed's liberation.

Mohammed, now 16, required hospitalization for treatment immediately after release, family members reported.

Family described him as pale, underweight, while battling health issues developed during imprisonment.

Via family representatives, Mohammed's uncle spoke of the family's "overwhelming sense of relief".

Family member Zeyad Kadur stated the family experienced "enduring a dreadful, continuous nightmare" over the last nine months.

"Currently, we are focused on getting Mohammed urgent medical care he requires after experiencing mistreatment by authorities and cruel circumstances throughout his detention."

US officials announced ongoing to extend consular services to Mohammed's family.

{"American leadership considers paramount to the protection and welfare of American nationals"," the department emphasized.

A group of American legislators submitted a formal letter to US authorities and President Donald Trump, requesting additional efforts to secure his release.

The father, with four children operating an ice cream shop based in Tampa, previously said his child admitted guilt regarding stone throwing because the soldiers beat him.

The father hadn't visited or spoken to Mohammed since the arrest, and only heard what had happened to him through judicial records.

The teenager remained without charge at Ofer detention facility throughout the occupied territory.

The facility also contains adult prisoners, some of whom have been convicted for major terrorist activities and murder.

An estimated several hundred young Palestinian detainees currently imprisoned in Israel, per correctional service statistics.

Several lack formal charges while advocacy organizations, including UN bodies, say some have suffered mistreatment and torture.

Following Mohammed's release, Mr Kadur said the family would also continue fighting for justice for his cousin their cousin Sayfollah.

The dual national youth according to health authorities was beaten to death by settlement residents amid clashes last July.

During that period, defense forces stated officials were investigating accounts of a Palestinian was deceased.

Mohammed and Sayfollah were employed together at their family's ice cream business based in Florida.

No one has been charged regarding Sayfollah's death.

"We demand the American government to protect our families," the uncle stated.