🔗 Share this article

Zaher Ibrahim

An Palestinian-American teenager who spent a nine-month period in imprisonment by Israel absent formal charges gained freedom.

Mohammed Ibrahim was fifteen years old when he was arrested in February throughout the West Bank territory, where he was visiting from his Florida home accused of stone-throwing against settlement residents, claims he consistently denied.

United States authorities said it welcomed the news of Mohammed's release.

Currently aged sixteen, needed medical care for treatment immediately after release, relatives told the media.

According to them, he appears pale, underweight, while battling health issues developed during imprisonment.

Through an official statement, family spokesperson expressed the family's "overwhelming sense of relief".

The uncle, Zeyad Kadur described how relatives endured "enduring a dreadful, continuous nightmare" during the entire detention period.

"Currently, we're concentrating on getting Mohammed prompt healthcare necessary for his recovery following exposure to harsh conditions and brutal treatment over several months."

US officials said it would continue to extend consular services for the Ibrahim family.

{"American leadership has no higher priority to ensuring the safety of American nationals"," the department emphasized.

Several congressional representatives submitted a formal letter to the state department and the White House, urging greater action to secure his release.

Mohammed's parent, with four children who runs an ice cream business from Florida, previously said his son only confessed regarding stone throwing due to physical abuse.

There were no visits nor direct contact following the detention, learning information solely about his son's condition in detention through court documents.

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

The facility also contains adult prisoners, including individuals found guilty of serious terrorism offences and homicide.

There are around several hundred young Palestinian detainees detained within Israeli facilities, per correctional service statistics.

Several lack formal charges along with monitoring agencies, including UN bodies, say some have suffered abuse and torture.

After the teenager's freedom, the uncle stated the family would also continue fighting seeking justice for their relative family member Sayfollah.

The 20-year-old dual US citizen per medical officials succumbed to assault by Israeli settlers during a confrontation in July.

Initially, military authorities reported officials were investigating reports a Palestinian civilian was deceased.

The two cousins had worked together within the family's frozen treats establishment based in Florida.

No charges have been filed with Sayfollah's killing.

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