A Palestinian-American teenager who spent nine months in Israeli detention without charge has been freed. Mohammed Ibrahim was 15 when he was arrested in February in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, where he was visiting on holiday from Florida, for allegedly throwing stones at Jewish settlers, which he previously denied. The US state department said it welcomed the news of Mohammed's release. The BBC has contacted the Israeli authorities but has not received a reply.
Mohammed, now 16, was taken to hospital for treatment immediately after release, relatives told the media. They said he is pale, underweight, and suffering from conditions contracted in captivity. In a statement, Mohammed's uncle spoke of the family's 'immense relief'. Zeyad Kadur said the family had been 'living a horrific and endless nightmare' over the last nine months.
'Right now, we are focused on getting Mohammed the immediate medical attention he needs after being subjected to Israel's abuse and inhumane conditions for months. We just want Mohammed to be healthy and to have his childhood back,' he said. 'Israeli soldiers had no right to take Mohammed from us in the first place,' he added.
The state department said it would continue to provide consular support to Mohammed's family. 'The Trump Administration has no higher priority than the safety and security of US citizens,' it added.
Earlier this week, Mohammed's father Zahar Ibrahim told the BBC he was frustrated that the US government was not doing more to secure his son's release. Twenty-seven US lawmakers had signed a letter to the state department and President Trump, demanding more action.
Mr. Ibrahim, who runs an ice cream business in Florida, mentioned that his son only confessed to throwing stones under duress after being beaten by soldiers. He had not seen or spoken to Mohammed since February, receiving information about his condition through court documents.
Mohammed was held without charge in Ofer prison, which also houses adult prisoners convicted of serious offenses. Currently, around 350 Palestinian children are detained in Israeli facilities, many without charges, according to the Israeli Prison Service, while human rights organizations highlight allegations of abuse and torture.
Following Mohammed's release, Mr. Kadur expressed the family’s commitment to seeking justice for his cousin Sayfollah Musallet, a 20-year-old dual US citizen reportedly killed by Israeli settlers. No one has been charged regarding Sayfollah's death, with the family expecting the American government to protect their interests.
Mohammed, now 16, was taken to hospital for treatment immediately after release, relatives told the media. They said he is pale, underweight, and suffering from conditions contracted in captivity. In a statement, Mohammed's uncle spoke of the family's 'immense relief'. Zeyad Kadur said the family had been 'living a horrific and endless nightmare' over the last nine months.
'Right now, we are focused on getting Mohammed the immediate medical attention he needs after being subjected to Israel's abuse and inhumane conditions for months. We just want Mohammed to be healthy and to have his childhood back,' he said. 'Israeli soldiers had no right to take Mohammed from us in the first place,' he added.
The state department said it would continue to provide consular support to Mohammed's family. 'The Trump Administration has no higher priority than the safety and security of US citizens,' it added.
Earlier this week, Mohammed's father Zahar Ibrahim told the BBC he was frustrated that the US government was not doing more to secure his son's release. Twenty-seven US lawmakers had signed a letter to the state department and President Trump, demanding more action.
Mr. Ibrahim, who runs an ice cream business in Florida, mentioned that his son only confessed to throwing stones under duress after being beaten by soldiers. He had not seen or spoken to Mohammed since February, receiving information about his condition through court documents.
Mohammed was held without charge in Ofer prison, which also houses adult prisoners convicted of serious offenses. Currently, around 350 Palestinian children are detained in Israeli facilities, many without charges, according to the Israeli Prison Service, while human rights organizations highlight allegations of abuse and torture.
Following Mohammed's release, Mr. Kadur expressed the family’s commitment to seeking justice for his cousin Sayfollah Musallet, a 20-year-old dual US citizen reportedly killed by Israeli settlers. No one has been charged regarding Sayfollah's death, with the family expecting the American government to protect their interests.
