🔗 Share this article

Zaher Ibrahim

A Palestinian-American adolescent after completing a nine-month period in imprisonment by Israel without being charged was released.

Mohammed Ibrahim had just turned 15 at the time of his arrest in February in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, during a family visit while residing in Florida accused of stone-throwing toward Israeli settlers, claims he consistently denied.

United States authorities said it welcomed Mohammed's liberation.

Mohammed, now 16, required hospitalization right after being freed, according to close relatives.

They said he is pale, underweight, while battling health issues contracted in captivity.

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

Zeyad Kadur said the family had been "living a horrific and endless nightmare" over the last nine months.

"At this moment, we are focused on getting Mohammed urgent medical care he needs following exposure to Israel's abuse and cruel circumstances for months."

US officials said it would continue to offer diplomatic assistance for the Ibrahim family.

{"The Trump Administration gives utmost importance to ensuring the safety of American nationals"," the department emphasized.

A group of American legislators submitted a formal letter to the state department and the administration, requesting additional efforts for his freedom.

Mr Ibrahim, with four children operating an ice cream shop in Florida, previously claimed Mohammed acknowledged allegations regarding stone throwing due to physical abuse.

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

Mohammed was held lacking indictment in Ofer prison in the West Bank.

The facility also contains adult prisoners, some of whom have been convicted regarding severe security violations including killings.

There are around 350 Palestinian minors in security custody currently imprisoned in Israel, per correctional service statistics.

Numerous remain uncharged while advocacy organizations, including UN bodies, report instances of abuse and torture.

Following Mohammed's release, family representatives announced they would maintain their efforts seeking justice for their relative family member Sayfollah.

The 20-year-old dual US citizen according to health authorities succumbed to assault by radical settlers during a confrontation during summer.

At the time, military authorities reported they were examining reports a Palestinian civilian was deceased.

Both young men collaborated in the family ice cream shop based in Florida.

No indictments occurred with Sayfollah's killing.

"We anticipate the American government to safeguard our relatives," family representatives emphasized.