Palestinian-American Adolescent Liberated After 270 Days in Israeli Custody
Zaher Ibrahim
An American-Palestinian adolescent having endured 270 days in Israel's custody absent formal charges has been freed.
The teenager Mohammed Ibrahim had just turned 15 during his detention last February throughout the West Bank territory, during a family visit on holiday from Florida under suspicion of rock throwing toward Israeli settlers, which he previously denied.
United States authorities expressed satisfaction with the news of Mohammed's release.
Mohammed, now 16, required hospitalization for treatment immediately after release, family members reported.
They said he is showing signs of malnutrition, and is suffering from conditions acquired while detained.
Through an official statement, Mohammed's uncle spoke of the family's "overwhelming sense of relief".
The uncle, Zeyad Kadur stated the family experienced "enduring a dreadful, continuous nightmare" over the last nine months.
"Right now, our priority is providing Mohammed with urgent medical care he needs after being subjected to harsh conditions and cruel circumstances throughout his detention."
The state department said it would continue to extend consular services for the Ibrahim family.
{"US government authorities has no higher priority to the protection and welfare of American nationals"," officials stated.
Twenty-seven US lawmakers had signed a letter to US authorities and the White House, demanding more be done to secure his release.
The father, a father-of-four who runs an ice cream business in Florida, previously said his child admitted guilt to throwing stones because the soldiers beat him.
The father hadn't visited or communicated with his son following the detention, learning information solely what had happened to him in detention through court documents.
The teenager remained without charge within Ofer penitentiary in the West Bank.
The facility also contains adult prisoners, featuring prisoners sentenced of serious terrorism offences and homicide.
Approximately several hundred young Palestinian detainees currently imprisoned in Israel, based on prison authority data.
Many have never been charged and human rights groups, as well as the United Nations, document cases involving physical abuse and torture.
Subsequent to his liberation, family representatives announced the family would also continue fighting for justice for his cousin their cousin Sayfollah.
The dual national youth per medical officials was beaten to death by Israeli settlers during a confrontation during summer.
Initially, the Israeli military said officials were investigating information regarding a civilian was deceased.
The two cousins had worked together in the family ice cream shop based in Florida.
No indictments occurred for the cousin's murder.
"We demand the American government to protect our families," family representatives emphasized.
