Palestinian‑American Teen Detained in Ofer Prison

Mohammed Ibrahim, a 16-year-old Palestinian-American from Florida, has been held in Israeli detention since a February raid during a family visit to the West Bank on accusations of throwing rocks that his family denies. He remains uncharged and without a trial date after eight months, has been denied regular contact with his family, and the U.S. State Department says it is monitoring the case while lawmakers and rights groups press for his release. Testimony from Defense for Children International–Palestine and visiting lawyers describe rapid health deterioration at Ofer Prison, including scabies and about 11 kg of weight loss, cold cells, thin mattresses and meagre meals. Advocates say his case highlights broader concerns about Israel’s treatment of minors: more than 300 Palestinian children are currently detained by Israel, nearly half held without charge — the highest number DCIP has tracked. The family travelled to reunion points during U.S.-brokered ceasefire releases but he was not freed, and advocates warn that U.S. citizenship has not secured his release.