American-Palestinian Adolescent Liberated After 270 Days in Israeli Custody
Zaher Ibrahim
A Palestinian-American teenager having endured 270 days in Israeli detention without being charged has been freed.
Mohammed Ibrahim was fifteen years old during his detention in February in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, during a family visit from his Florida home under suspicion of rock throwing against settlement residents, claims he consistently denied.
American diplomatic officials applauded the news of Mohammed's release.
Mohammed, now 16, needed medical care upon gaining freedom, relatives told the media.
They said he is visibly pale and thin, and is suffering from conditions contracted in captivity.
In a statement, the youth's uncle conveyed their "tremendous relief".
Family member Zeyad Kadur said the family had been "enduring a dreadful, continuous nightmare" throughout the past nine months.
"Right now, our priority is providing Mohammed with urgent medical care he requires after being subjected to mistreatment by authorities and cruel circumstances over several months."
American authorities announced ongoing to provide consular support to the teenager's relatives.
{"US government authorities gives utmost importance to the protection and welfare of American nationals"," it added.
Twenty-seven US lawmakers submitted a formal letter to US authorities and the White House, urging greater action to release him.
The father, a father-of-four who runs an ice cream business based in Tampa, previously said Mohammed acknowledged allegations regarding stone throwing due to physical abuse.
He had not seen or communicated with his son since February, receiving updates exclusively what had happened to him through judicial records.
The teenager remained absent formal charges at Ofer detention facility on the West Bank.
The facility also contains adult prisoners, including individuals found guilty of serious terrorism offences including killings.
An estimated several hundred young Palestinian detainees being held in Israeli jails, according to the Israeli Prison Service.
Many have never been charged and human rights groups, including UN bodies, document cases involving physical 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 per medical officials succumbed to assault by Israeli settlers during a confrontation during summer.
Initially, the Israeli military said they were examining information regarding a civilian had died.
The two cousins were employed together within the family's frozen treats establishment from Tampa.
No one has been charged for the cousin's murder.
"We demand US authorities to protect our families," family representatives emphasized.
