Palestinian-American Youth Freed After Nine Months in Israeli Detention

Zaher Ibrahim

An American-Palestinian youth after completing 270 days in imprisonment by Israel absent formal charges gained freedom.

The teenager Mohammed Ibrahim was 15 at the time of his arrest in February in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, while he was vacationing while residing in Florida under suspicion of rock throwing against settlement residents, claims he consistently denied.

The US state department applauded Mohammed's liberation.

Mohammed, now 16, was taken to hospital upon gaining freedom, according to close relatives.

Family described him as pale, underweight, and experiencing medical problems acquired while detained.

In a statement, the youth's uncle expressed the family's "tremendous relief".

Zeyad Kadur described how relatives endured "living a horrific and endless nightmare" during the entire detention period.

"Currently, we are focused on ensuring Mohammed receives urgent medical care necessary for his recovery following exposure to Israel's abuse and inhumane conditions for months."

The state department said it would continue to provide consular support to Mohammed's family.

{"American leadership gives utmost importance than the safety and security of American nationals"," it added.

Several congressional representatives submitted a formal letter to US authorities and the administration, demanding more be done to release him.

The father, with four children managing a frozen treats business from Florida, previously said his son only confessed regarding stone throwing after being assaulted by soldiers.

He had not seen or communicated with his son following the detention, receiving updates exclusively what had happened to him via legal paperwork.

He stayed absent formal charges in Ofer prison throughout the occupied territory.

It is also home to mature inmates, featuring prisoners sentenced of serious terrorism offences including killings.

There are around 350 Palestinian child security detainees currently imprisoned in Israel, based on prison authority data.

Several lack formal charges while advocacy organizations, including UN bodies, report instances of physical abuse and torture.

After the teenager's freedom, the uncle stated relatives would persist in advocating demanding accountability for their family member Sayfollah Musallet.

The 20-year-old dual US citizen who the Palestinian health ministry said was beaten to death by settlement residents following tensions during summer.

Initially, military authorities reported officials were investigating reports a Palestinian civilian had died.

The two cousins had worked together at their family's ice cream business based in Florida.

No one has been charged with Sayfollah's killing.

"We expect United States leadership to protect our families," the uncle stated.