Family Demands Independent Medical Evaluation for 16-Year-Old Palestinian American Held by Israel

Family Seeks Third-Party Medical Assessment for Teen in Israeli Custody

The family of Mohammed Ibrahim, a 16-year-old Palestinian American who has been held by Israeli authorities since February, is demanding an independent medical evaluation after reports that the teenager has lost significant weight and contracted scabies while in detention.

An uncle, Zeyad Kadur, said a recent visit to Ofer Prison by a consular official from the U.S. embassy in Israel confirmed visible changes in Mohammed’s appearance, including weight loss and dark circles under his eyes. According to the family, the consular officer also told them the case had been raised with multiple U.S. and Israeli agencies.

'This is the first time in nine months that they showed grave concern for his health, so how bad is it?' Kadur asked, stressing the family's urgency.

Legal and Access Concerns

Israeli authorities have accused Mohammed of throwing rocks at settlers in the occupied West Bank — an allegation he denies — and his family says the military court proceedings have advanced slowly. Rights groups and advocates for Palestinian detainees argue that the military justice system in the occupied West Bank is deeply biased, pointing to a very high conviction rate for Palestinian defendants.

The family also says it has very limited access to Mohammed while he is detained. Relatives report they cannot visit or communicate directly with him, and the last consular visit they received was in September. Updates have been limited to reports from the embassy to the family.

Health and Welfare Concerns

Mohammed's father, Zaher Ibrahim, reported that his son has experienced severe weight loss in detention and contracted scabies, a contagious skin condition. The family is particularly worried about his mental health, and they are pressing for Mohammed to be transferred to a hospital for evaluation by an independent, third-party physician rather than being assessed only by prison medical staff.

'He needs some actual attention,' Kadur said, urging that Mohammed be seen outside the prison clinic and evaluated by an impartial medical team.

The family says Mohammed, who lives in Florida, was visiting family in the West Bank when he was arrested late one night; they describe the arrest as blindfolded and violent. They say their appeals to U.S. officials for stronger diplomatic intervention have produced limited results so far.

Diplomatic Context

The family argues that Washington has successfully negotiated the release of detained U.S. citizens in other cases and should apply more pressure to secure Mohammed's release. They note the scale of U.S. military assistance to Israel as part of the broader diplomatic leverage the United States could use.

When U.S. Senator Marco Rubio visited Israel recently, he was asked about the case and said he had no update at that time, indicating that consular channels and diplomatic contacts would handle the matter. The U.S. Department of State has not released a substantive public statement about the latest consular visit to Mohammed.

The family continues to call for a hospital transfer and an independent medical assessment to determine Mohammed's physical and psychological condition, while urging stronger diplomatic efforts to secure his release.