American-Palestinian Youth Released Following Nine-Month Period in Israel's Imprisonment
Zaher Ibrahim
An Palestinian-American youth who spent 270 days in Israeli detention without charge has been freed.
Mohammed Ibrahim had just turned 15 at the time of his arrest this past winter in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, during a family visit while residing in Florida accused of stone-throwing against settlement residents, allegations he repeatedly contested.
United States authorities expressed satisfaction with Mohammed's liberation.
Mohammed, now 16, needed medical care upon gaining freedom, relatives told the media.
Family described him as showing signs of malnutrition, while battling health issues developed during imprisonment.
Via family representatives, family spokesperson conveyed their "overwhelming sense of relief".
The uncle, Zeyad Kadur described how relatives endured "living a horrific and endless nightmare" throughout the past nine months.
"At this moment, we're concentrating on getting Mohammed urgent medical care he requires after experiencing harsh conditions and brutal treatment over several months."
The state department said it would continue to offer diplomatic assistance to Mohammed's family.
{"American leadership considers paramount to the protection and welfare of US citizens"," the department emphasized.
Several congressional representatives endorsed a document to the state department and the administration, demanding more be done to release him.
Mohammed's parent, a father-of-four who runs an ice cream business from Florida, previously claimed Mohammed acknowledged allegations about rock throwing because the soldiers beat him.
The father hadn't visited or spoken to Mohammed since February, learning information solely about his son's condition in detention through court documents.
He stayed lacking indictment at Ofer detention facility throughout the occupied territory.
It is also home to grown detainees, including individuals found guilty for major terrorist activities and homicide.
An estimated several hundred young Palestinian detainees being held in Israeli jails, according to the Israeli Prison Service.
Several lack formal charges along with monitoring agencies, as well as the United Nations, say some have suffered physical abuse and torture.
After the teenager's freedom, Mr Kadur said they would maintain their efforts seeking justice for their relative Sayfollah Musallet.
The 20-year-old dual US citizen per medical officials was beaten to death by Israeli settlers during a confrontation last July.
Initially, the Israeli military said authorities were looking into accounts of a Palestinian was deceased.
The two cousins had worked together within the family's frozen treats establishment in Tampa, Florida.
No charges have been filed regarding Sayfollah's death.
"We anticipate US authorities to safeguard our relatives," family representatives emphasized.
