American-Palestinian Adolescent Liberated After Nine Months in Israel's Detention
Zaher Ibrahim
An Palestinian-American youth after completing a nine-month period in Israel's custody absent formal charges has been freed.
Mohammed Ibrahim was 15 when he was arrested this past winter in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, 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 Mohammed's liberation.
Now sixteen years old, required hospitalization right after being freed, relatives told the media.
Family described him as pale, underweight, while battling health issues developed during imprisonment.
In a statement, the youth's uncle expressed the family's "tremendous relief".
The uncle, Zeyad Kadur described how relatives endured "surviving a terrible, unending nightmare" over the last nine months.
"At this moment, we're concentrating on providing Mohammed with prompt healthcare he requires after being subjected to Israel's abuse and cruel circumstances over several months."
American authorities said it would continue to offer diplomatic assistance to the teenager's relatives.
{"The Trump Administration considers paramount to the protection and welfare of US citizens"," it added.
A group of American legislators had signed a letter to diplomatic officials and President Donald Trump, urging greater action for his freedom.
Mohammed's parent, a father-of-four who runs an ice cream business in Florida, previously claimed Mohammed acknowledged allegations to throwing stones after being assaulted by soldiers.
He had not seen or spoken to Mohammed since the arrest, and only heard what had happened to him through judicial records.
Mohammed was held lacking indictment within Ofer penitentiary in the West Bank.
It is also home to grown detainees, some of whom have been convicted regarding severe security violations and murder.
There are around several hundred young Palestinian detainees detained within Israeli facilities, per correctional service statistics.
Several lack formal charges while advocacy organizations, including UN bodies, document cases involving abuse and torture.
Following Mohammed's release, the uncle stated relatives would persist in advocating seeking justice for their relative Sayfollah Musallet.
The 20-year-old dual US citizen according to health authorities was beaten to death by Israeli settlers amid clashes during summer.
At the time, military authorities reported authorities were looking into information regarding a civilian had died.
The two cousins were employed together within the family's frozen treats establishment based in Florida.
No charges have been filed with Sayfollah's killing.
"We expect US authorities to safeguard our relatives," Mr Kadur said.