🔗 Share this article

Zaher Ibrahim

An American-Palestinian adolescent who spent a nine-month period in imprisonment by Israel without being charged was released.

The teenager Mohammed Ibrahim had just turned 15 at the time of his arrest last February throughout the West Bank territory, during a family visit from his Florida home accused of stone-throwing at Jewish settlers, allegations he repeatedly contested.

The US state department said it welcomed the teenager's freedom.

Currently aged sixteen, required hospitalization right after being freed, relatives told the media.

They said he is showing signs of malnutrition, and experiencing medical problems contracted in captivity.

Through an official statement, family spokesperson conveyed their "overwhelming sense of relief".

The uncle, Zeyad Kadur stated the family experienced "living a horrific and endless nightmare" over the last nine months.

"At this moment, we are focused on ensuring Mohammed receives the immediate medical attention he requires after being subjected to mistreatment by authorities and inhumane conditions over several months."

The state department said it would continue to offer diplomatic assistance to Mohammed's family.

{"The Trump Administration considers paramount to ensuring the safety for United States citizens"," it added.

Several congressional representatives had signed a letter to the state department and the White House, urging greater action for his freedom.

Mr Ibrahim, a father-of-four who runs an ice cream business from Florida, had earlier stated Mohammed acknowledged allegations about rock throwing due to physical abuse.

There were no visits or communicated with his son since the arrest, and only heard about his son's condition through judicial records.

The teenager remained without charge in Ofer prison in the West Bank.

It is also home to mature inmates, including individuals found guilty for major terrorist activities and murder.

An estimated several hundred young Palestinian detainees detained within Israeli facilities, based on prison authority data.

Many have never been charged and human rights groups, and international organizations, report instances of mistreatment and torture.

Following Mohammed's release, family representatives announced relatives would persist in advocating for justice for his cousin family member Sayfollah.

This young American-Palestinian who the Palestinian health ministry said succumbed to assault by settlement residents following tensions last July.

During that period, defense forces stated they were examining information regarding a civilian had been killed.

Both young men collaborated at their family's ice cream business from Tampa.

No one has been charged with Sayfollah's killing.

"We demand US authorities to safeguard our relatives," the uncle stated.