Palestinian-American Youth Freed After Nine Months in Israel's Imprisonment

Zaher Ibrahim Zaher Ibrahim

A Palestinian-American adolescent who spent a nine-month period in Israeli detention without charge gained freedom.

Mohammed Ibrahim had just turned 15 during his detention this past winter within the occupied West Bank, during a family visit from his Florida home accused of stone-throwing against settlement residents, allegations he repeatedly contested.

The US state department expressed satisfaction with Mohammed's liberation.

Now sixteen years old, needed medical care upon gaining freedom, family members reported.

They said he is pale, underweight, and experiencing medical problems contracted in captivity.

Via family representatives, family spokesperson conveyed their "tremendous relief".

Family member Zeyad Kadur stated the family experienced "living a horrific and endless nightmare" over the last nine months.

"At this moment, we're concentrating on getting Mohammed the immediate medical attention he requires following exposure to mistreatment by authorities and brutal treatment over several months."

American authorities stated they would maintain to offer diplomatic assistance for the Ibrahim family.

{"US government authorities considers paramount to the protection and welfare of US citizens"," officials stated.

Twenty-seven US lawmakers endorsed a document to diplomatic officials and the White House, urging greater action for his freedom.

The father, with four children operating an ice cream shop in Florida, previously said his son only confessed to throwing stones due to physical abuse.

The father hadn't visited or spoken to Mohammed since the arrest, receiving updates exclusively what had happened to him through judicial records.

Mohammed was held without charge at Ofer detention facility on the West Bank.

It is also home to adult prisoners, some of whom have been convicted for major terrorist activities including killings.

There are around 350 Palestinian child security detainees being held in Israeli jails, according to the Israeli Prison Service.

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

Following Mohammed's release, family representatives announced the family would also continue fighting for justice for his cousin their cousin Sayfollah.

The 20-year-old dual US citizen according to health authorities succumbed to assault by settlement residents during a confrontation during summer.

Initially, military authorities reported officials were investigating accounts of a Palestinian had died.

The two cousins collaborated at their family's ice cream business based in Florida.

No indictments occurred with Sayfollah's killing.

"We expect the American government to safeguard our relatives," Mr Kadur said.

Cynthia Robinson
Cynthia Robinson

A seasoned sports analyst with over a decade of experience in betting markets and statistical modeling.