American-Palestinian Teenager Freed Following 270 Days in Israeli Custody
Zaher Ibrahim
An American-Palestinian youth who spent 270 days in imprisonment by Israel without charge gained freedom.
Mohammed Ibrahim was fifteen years old at the time of his arrest last February in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, while he was vacationing from his Florida home accused of stone-throwing toward Israeli settlers, allegations he repeatedly contested.
United States authorities said it welcomed the teenager's freedom.
Mohammed, now 16, required hospitalization right after being freed, family members reported.
Family described him as showing signs of malnutrition, and is suffering from conditions contracted in captivity.
In a statement, the youth's uncle expressed the family's "immense relief".
Family member Zeyad Kadur stated the family experienced "enduring a dreadful, continuous nightmare" over the last nine months.
"At this moment, we are focused on providing Mohammed with the immediate medical attention he needs after experiencing Israel's abuse and inhumane conditions throughout his detention."
American authorities said it would continue to extend consular services to Mohammed's family.
{"American leadership gives utmost importance to the protection and welfare for United States citizens"," the department emphasized.
A group of American legislators endorsed a document to US authorities and President Donald Trump, demanding more be done to release him.
Mr Ibrahim, with four children operating an ice cream shop from Florida, previously said his son only confessed to throwing stones because the soldiers beat him.
The father hadn't visited or communicated with his son since the arrest, and only heard what had happened to him through judicial records.
Mohammed was held lacking indictment at Ofer detention facility in the West Bank.
It is also home to grown detainees, including individuals found guilty for major terrorist activities and homicide.
An estimated 350 Palestinian minors in security custody currently imprisoned in Israel, based on prison authority data.
Numerous remain uncharged along with monitoring agencies, and international organizations, document cases involving abuse and torture.
Subsequent to his liberation, the uncle stated the family would also continue fighting seeking justice for their relative family member Sayfollah.
The dual national youth according to health authorities succumbed to assault by radical settlers following tensions in July.
At the time, the Israeli military said officials were investigating reports a Palestinian civilian was deceased.
The two cousins collaborated in the family ice cream shop based in Florida.
No charges have been filed with Sayfollah's killing.
"We demand United States leadership to ensure our family's safety," Mr Kadur said.
