In brief
Mohammed Ibrahim, a Palestinian-American teen arrested in February while visiting the West Bank, has been released after spending nine months in detention without charge. His family expressed immense relief but concern over his health, citing inhumane conditions during his imprisonment. The U.S. State Department welcomed his release and intends to provide consular support.
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.
Mohammed, now 16, was taken to hospital for treatment immediately after release, relatives told the media. They said he is pale, underweight and is 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.
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.
Mohammed was held without charge in Ofer prison on the West Bank. There are around 350 Palestinian child security detainees being held in Israeli jails, according to the Israeli Prison Service, many of whom have never been charged and have reportedly suffered abuse and torture.
Following Mohammed's release, the family vowed to continue their efforts in seeking justice for relatives impacted by the ongoing conflict.
