🔗 Share this article

Zaher Ibrahim

An Palestinian-American youth who spent a nine-month period in Israeli detention without being charged was released.

The teenager Mohammed Ibrahim was 15 when he was arrested this past winter in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, where he was visiting while residing in Florida under suspicion of rock throwing toward Israeli settlers, claims he consistently denied.

American diplomatic officials said it welcomed the teenager's freedom.

Mohammed, now 16, needed medical care for treatment immediately after release, according to close relatives.

According to them, he appears showing signs of malnutrition, while battling health issues acquired while detained.

Through an official statement, the youth's uncle expressed the family's "immense relief".

The uncle, Zeyad Kadur said the family had been "surviving a terrible, unending nightmare" during the entire detention period.

"At this moment, our priority is ensuring Mohammed receives urgent medical care he requires after being subjected to mistreatment by authorities and brutal treatment over several months."

The state department said it would continue to offer diplomatic assistance to the teenager's relatives.

{"American leadership has no higher priority than the safety and security of US citizens"," it added.

Several congressional representatives endorsed a document to US authorities and President Donald Trump, urging greater action for his freedom.

Mohammed's parent, with four children operating an ice cream shop based in Tampa, had earlier stated his child admitted guilt to throwing stones because the soldiers beat him.

The father hadn't visited or spoken to Mohammed following the detention, receiving updates exclusively what had happened to him via legal paperwork.

He stayed absent formal charges in Ofer prison in the West Bank.

The facility also contains adult prisoners, featuring prisoners sentenced for major terrorist activities including killings.

Approximately 350 Palestinian child security detainees being held in Israeli jails, per correctional service statistics.

Numerous remain uncharged and human rights groups, and international organizations, report instances of mistreatment and torture.

Subsequent to his liberation, Mr Kadur said relatives would persist in advocating seeking justice for their relative Sayfollah Musallet.

The dual national youth per medical officials was beaten to death by Israeli settlers following tensions in July.

During that period, military authorities reported officials were investigating information regarding a civilian had been killed.

Mohammed and Sayfollah collaborated at their family's ice cream business from Tampa.

No one has been charged for the cousin's murder.

"We expect United States leadership to ensure our family's safety," family representatives emphasized.