Palestinian-American Teen Released from Israeli Prison in Dire Health, Sparking Outcry

Mohammed Zaher Ibrahim, 

Palestinian-American Teen Released from Israeli Prison in Dire Health, Sparking Outcry

By Bing Jabadan – TheNATIONWEEK.Com | November 28, 2025

RAMALLAH, West Bank — Mohammed Zaher Ibrahim, a 16-year-old Palestinian-American, was released from Israel’s Ofer Prison on Thursday, November 27, 2025, after nearly nine months of detention, immediately requiring hospitalization in Ramallah due to severe health deterioration.

The case has ignited a firestorm of criticism, with U.S. lawmakers and human rights organizations decrying his alleged mistreatment while in custody.

Ibrahim, a Florida resident who was 15 at the time of his arrest, had been held on charges of throwing stones at Israeli settlers’ vehicles — a common accusation against Palestinian youths in the West Bank that can carry sentences of up to 20 years under Israeli military law.

He was released following a guilty plea and a suspended sentence in an Israeli military court.

Nighttime Arrest Allegations of Abuse

The arrest occurred during a nighttime raid on his family’s home in the West Bank village of al-Mazraa al-Sharqiya on February 16, 2025, while Ibrahim was visiting relatives on holiday.

According to court documents and family accounts, Israeli soldiers blindfolded, handcuffed, and beat him during the arrest, allegedly coercing a confession.

Ibrahim denies the allegations, and his family describes the ordeal as a “horrific and endless nightmare.”

Upon release, Ibrahim was rushed to a hospital in Ramallah, appearing severely underweight, pale, and mentally disconnected. He had lost approximately 25% of his body weight — around 12-13 kilograms — and was suffering from untreated scabies that had spread across his body. Doctors immediately administered intravenous therapy, blood tests, and a comprehensive evaluation.

Family Reunion, Calls for Justice

Family members, including his father, Zaher Ibrahim, reunited with him at the hospital, marking their first direct contact since the arrest.

Zeyad Kadur, a close family friend and uncle, expressed overwhelming joy but also deep anger.

“Words can’t describe the immense relief we have as a family right now, to have Mohammed in his parents’ arms,” Kadur said.

“Israeli soldiers had no right to take Mohammed from us in the first place. There are hundreds of children like Mohammed, unjustly trapped in an Israeli military prison, being subjected to Israel’s abuse and torture.”

Deplorable Prison Conditions

During his detention at Ofer Prison — a facility known for housing both juveniles and adults convicted of serious crimes — Ibrahim endured what his family and advocates describe as deplorable conditions.

He allegedly received meager meals consisting of three tiny pieces of bread and a spoonful of yogurt for breakfast, with no dinner or fruit provided.

He had limited access to hygiene, leading to health issues like scabies, and received no family visits or phone calls, relying solely on sporadic updates from U.S. Embassy officials.

A U.S. consular visit on November 13 noted further weight loss and signs of bruising from alleged torture, prompting fears for his life among advocacy groups.

U.S. Lawmakers Demand Action

Ibrahim’s dual citizenship drew significant U.S. attention, with over 100 organizations and 27 Democratic members of Congress, including Senators Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, and Chris Van Hollen, urging the Trump administration to intervene.

Senator Van Hollen criticized the perceived lack of action, saying, “You have an American citizen who is being terribly mistreated, who has been beaten up, who has been deprived of adequate food and nutrition, and I haven’t heard much from the U.S. government.”

The U.S. State Department confirmed it was “tracking Mr. Ibrahim’s case closely” and appointed a dedicated official in September.

Conflicting Narratives

Israeli officials maintain their claims that Ibrahim committed a “serious potentially deadly crime” and that proceedings followed due process.

However, human rights organizations, including Defense for Children International-Palestine, have documented similar cases, noting that Palestinian children in the West Bank are routinely tried in military courts with high conviction rates.

‘Regular Fun Kid’

Zaher Ibrahim described his son as “a real sweet boy, into his sports and his PlayStation and school — just a regular fun kid that loves and respects anybody.”

This case underscores the ongoing concerns regarding the treatment of Palestinian minors within the Israeli military court system and has renewed calls for greater accountability and protection of children’s rights in the occupied West Bank.