Teenager Detained Without Charge for Nine Months Heads to Court

Fri Dec 05 2025 13:50:44 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A Palestinian-American teen, arrested in Israel for allegedly throwing stones, faces a court appearance after enduring nine months in detention without charges, drawing attention from U.S. lawmakers.

Mohammed Ibrahim, a 16-year-old Palestinian-American, has been held in Israeli detention without charges for nine months. Arrested at his family's holiday home in the West Bank, he faces allegations of stone-throwing which he denies. With support from U.S. lawmakers urging for intervention, his case has gained notable media attention. His father describes him as a typical kid who loves sports and video games, raising concerns about his treatment in custody. As the court date approaches, questions about his rights and treatment remain at the forefront.

A Palestinian-American teenager is expected to appear in court in Israel later this week after nine months in detention without being charged.

Mohammed Ibrahim, who is 16 and lives in Florida, was arrested in February while on holiday in the Israeli-occupied West Bank for allegedly throwing stones at Jewish settlers, something he denies.

Last month, 27 Democratic US Senators and House members sent a letter to the US State Department, urging the Trump administration to do more to pressure Israel to release him.

In a statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said Mohammed had committed a serious potentially deadly crime and that the court was proceeding under due process.

The teenager's family disagrees. You can ask anybody you know, he's a real sweet boy, into his sports and his PlayStation and school, his father, Zahar Ibrahim, told reporters. Mohammed was arrested during a raid on his family's holiday home in the Palestinian village of al-Mazraa al-Sharqiya at midnight by Israeli soldiers; he was 15 years old at the time.

Mr. Ibrahim has not been able to communicate with his son for the entire nine months. He's just a regular fun kid that loves and respects anybody, he said.

Unable to speak to his son, Mr. Ibrahim has solely relied on court documents, revealing that Mohammed woke up to find himself surrounded by Israeli soldiers. They tied him up and blindfolded him, and they threw him on the floor of the jeep and took him to wherever they took him, his father recounted.

According to Mr. Ibrahim, his son confessed to throwing stones after being beaten by the soldiers. The Israeli prime minister's office has yet to comment on the allegations of abuse.

The case has garnered attention due to Mohammed's American citizenship. A state department spokesperson assured the public that they are closely monitoring his case and are working with the Israeli government.

Despite these efforts, the family's calls for U.S. intervention have gone largely unheard, highlighting the complexities of international relations in a highly charged region. Mr. Ibrahim is left waiting at their holiday home, yearning for his son's return, as over 350 Palestinian minors continue to face similar situations in Israeli jails.