🔗 Share this article

Zaher Ibrahim

A Palestinian-American adolescent after completing 270 days in Israel's custody without being charged has been freed.

The teenager Mohammed Ibrahim was 15 at the time of his arrest last February in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, during a family visit from his Florida home for allegedly throwing stones at Jewish settlers, which he previously denied.

American diplomatic officials expressed satisfaction with the news of Mohammed's release.

Now sixteen years old, was taken to hospital upon gaining freedom, according to close relatives.

They said he is visibly pale and thin, and is suffering from conditions contracted in captivity.

Via family representatives, the youth's uncle expressed the family's "overwhelming sense of relief".

The uncle, Zeyad Kadur stated the family experienced "enduring a dreadful, continuous nightmare" during the entire detention period.

"At this moment, we're concentrating on providing Mohammed with urgent medical care he requires after being subjected to Israel's abuse and inhumane conditions for months."

US officials stated they would maintain to extend consular services to the teenager's relatives.

{"US government authorities considers paramount than the safety and security of American nationals"," officials stated.

Several congressional representatives had signed a letter to diplomatic officials and the administration, urging greater action to release him.

Mr Ibrahim, parent of four children who runs an ice cream business from Florida, previously claimed his child admitted guilt to throwing stones due to physical abuse.

There were no visits nor direct contact since February, and only heard what had happened to him in detention through court documents.

Mohammed was held without charge in Ofer prison throughout the occupied territory.

The facility also contains adult prisoners, some of whom have been convicted for major terrorist activities and murder.

There are around 350 Palestinian minors in security custody being held in Israeli jails, per correctional service statistics.

Numerous remain uncharged and human rights groups, and international organizations, say some have suffered physical abuse and torture.

Subsequent to his liberation, the uncle stated the family would also continue fighting seeking justice for their relative Sayfollah Musallet.

The dual national youth according to health authorities died from beating by radical settlers following tensions in July.

During that period, defense forces stated officials were investigating reports a Palestinian civilian was deceased.

Both young men were employed together within the family's frozen treats establishment based in Florida.

No indictments occurred with Sayfollah's killing.

"We expect United States leadership to safeguard our relatives," the uncle stated.