A coalition of more than one hundred American civil rights, religious, and human rights organizations is pressing the State Department to intervene in the case of a 16-year-old American citizen held in Israeli custody for over six months. The groups warn that the teenager’s health is deteriorating significantly while he remains imprisoned.
The organizations contend that Mohammed Zaher Ibrahim, who holds dual American and Palestinian citizenship, requires immediate medical attention and should be released. They describe his condition as increasingly serious, with reports indicating he has developed scabies and experienced substantial weight loss during his detention.
Ibrahim, who divides his time between Florida and the West Bank, was taken into custody by Israeli forces from his family’s home in February when he was 15 years old. He has since spent his 16th birthday in military detention, separated from his parents.
According to court documents, Israeli authorities allege the teenager threw rocks at vehicles in separate incidents. His legal proceedings continue, with another hearing scheduled for late October.
Advocacy groups argue that holding detainees from occupied territories in the occupying power’s facilities violates international humanitarian law. They note that hundreds of Palestinian minors remain in Israeli military detention.
The teenager’s family contacted their congressional representative in Florida after losing communication with their son for more than 45 days. While U.S. embassy officials have conducted welfare checks, advocates describe the government response as insufficient.
The campaign represents heightened efforts to secure the teenager’s release after what organizers characterize as months of inadequate action. The case has drawn attention to broader concerns about the protection of American citizens with connections to the West Bank amid ongoing tensions in the region.
