Detention and Legal Proceedings of Mohammed Ibrahim
Mohammed Ibrahim, a Palestinian-American minor, was apprehended by Israeli soldiers from his residence in Al-Mazraa A-Sharqiya, Israeli-occupied West Bank, in February. The soldiers stated he had been observed throwing stones. His mother, Muna Ibrahim, reported that he was blindfolded and handcuffed during the apprehension. Mohammed, a U.S. citizen, has been detained in an Israeli prison since then, without family visits or phone calls. He turned 16 in March and faces a potential sentence of up to 20 years if convicted.
Mohammed Ibrahim is among over 9,000 Palestinians, including hundreds of minors, who have been detained in the West Bank since October 7, 2023, following the Hamas-led attacks and the subsequent Gaza conflict, according to official Palestinian data.
Court Hearings and Detention Conditions
Mohammed Ibrahim's tenth hearing in an Israeli military court is scheduled for Sunday. His father, Zaher Ibrahim, stated that previous hearings have concluded without a plea bargain or trial date. Mr. Ibrahim reported that court proceedings often involve long waiting periods and subsequent delays.
U.S. Embassy officials have been granted access to Mohammed in prison. His father, Zaher Ibrahim, stated that U.S. officials and former detainees informed him that Mohammed has developed scabies, which has reportedly spread across his body, and has experienced a weight loss of approximately one-third of his body mass. Members of the U.S. Congress have cited "signs of torture" in relation to Mohammed Ibrahim's detention.
Legal Framework and Charges
Mohammed Ibrahim's case is being processed under specific West Bank security provisions enacted after October 7, 2023, rather than standard Israeli penal code. These provisions classify stone-throwing as a serious offense. Stone-throwing was a prevalent act during two Palestinian intifadas, which resulted in over 1,000 Israeli fatalities and a greater number of Palestinian fatalities.
Court documents indicate Mohammed is charged with two counts of stone-throwing. The law defines this as a criminal offense, carrying a penalty of 10 years for targeting a person or property, and 20 years for targeting a moving vehicle. Mohammed is charged with the latter. Three other Palestinian youths were arrested the same day for a related incident.
During interrogation, Mohammed admitted to throwing a stone near a road, but stated he did not hit a target and did not intend to. This information is based on court documents and an interrogation video provided to his father by a lawyer.
The Israeli military declined to comment on the specifics of Mohammed's case, stating that military juvenile courts in the West Bank maintain secrecy to "protect the privacy of minors."
Attorney Lea Tsemel, who has represented numerous Palestinians in Israeli courts, indicated that lengthy prison sentences serve to encourage plea bargains, and that most minors charged in such cases do not serve the full 20 years. Tsemel described conditions such as those reported for Mohammed, including illness and malnutrition, as typical in these cases for individuals classified as security prisoners under special West Bank security provisions, leading to limitations on rights like food and family visits.
Mohammed's family has secured legal representation, though his father reported infrequent prison visits. The Israeli military stated that defendants are represented by a lawyer of their choice, and all evidence is accessible to the defense. The military asserted that its courts uphold due process and defendant rights throughout proceedings.
U.S. Government Engagement
In the previous month, 27 members of the U.S. Congress addressed a letter to U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The letter urged the U.S. government to engage with Israel for Mohammed's "swift release," citing concerns over his "alarming weight loss, deteriorating health, and signs of torture."
Secretary Rubio appointed a U.S. diplomat to communicate with the Ibrahim family. Zaher Ibrahim reported meetings between U.S. officials and the Israeli government, which he described as positive, though without subsequent follow-up. The U.S. State Department confirmed it is "tracking Mr. Ibrahim's case closely and working with the government of Israel," stating that Ambassador Huckabee and embassy staff are "deeply involved."
Family Perspectives and Related Incidents
Zaher Ibrahim expressed hope for Mohammed's release, a plea bargain, or a trial date at the upcoming hearing. Muna Ibrahim has prepared a welcome gift for Mohammed. She stated her hope that no other mother experiences similar circumstances, and that the family initially anticipated a quick release due to Mohammed's U.S. citizenship.
The family also faces the task of informing Mohammed about the death of his 20-year-old cousin, Sayfollah Musallet, also a U.S. citizen. Musallet was killed in July in the West Bank, reportedly beaten by Israeli settlers. Musallet is the fifth American fatality in the West Bank since October 7, 2023. No trial date has been established in Musallet's murder case.