Defense for Children International – Palestine (DCIP) has recently highlighted the troubling plight of Palestinian American teenager Mohammed Ibrahim, whose experiences in Israeli detention centers serve as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by minors in such facilities. In an interview published on Tuesday, the 16-year-old recounts the harsh realities he has endured since his arrest in February, shedding light on his arduous conditions, including inadequate sleeping arrangements, cold cells, and insufficient meals.

Young Mohammed detailed his daily sustenance, stating that the food provided is grossly inadequate. He described breakfast as consisting merely of three small pieces of bread and a spoonful of labneh, with lunch offering only half a cup of undercooked rice, a single sausage, and a few pieces of bread. Disturbingly, he noted that dinner is not served, and there is a total absence of fruit, contributing to his significant weight loss since his detention began.

With the support of his family, human rights organizations, and a growing number of US lawmakers, there have been ongoing demands for the Joe Biden administration to exert pressure on Israel for Mohammed’s release. It is notable that the United States has provided Israel with over billion in assistance in recent years, which raises questions surrounding the treatment of Palestinian minors under such a geopolitical umbrella.

Ayed Abu Eqtaish, the DCIP’s accountability director, pointed out the glaring issue that “not even an American passport can protect Palestinian children,” emphasizing the unique challenges faced by these young individuals. Despite efforts from Mohammed’s family and their advocates in Congress, he remains imprisoned, highlighting the diplomatic complexities surrounding this issue.

Mohammed’s ordeal began when Israeli forces conducted a raid on his family home in the occupied West Bank, during which he claims he was physically assaulted by soldiers. Initially held in the infamous Megiddo prison—described by former inmates as a “slaughterhouse”—he has since been transferred to another facility. In his account, Mohammed mentioned the inadequate provisions for heating and the lack of essential amenities, noting that only minimal bedding and a single copy of the Quran are provided to each prisoner.

Charged with the act of throwing stones at Israeli settlers—an accusation he firmly denies—Mohammed’s case underscores the broader concerns regarding the fairness of military trials faced by Palestinians in Israel. With continuing reports of mistreatment and dire living conditions within Israeli prisons, calls for Mohammed’s release are intensifying.

Notably, since the onset of the Gaza conflict in October 2023, there has been a troubling increase in reports of fatalities among Palestinian detainees, exacerbated by insufficient medical attention and inhumane treatment, as articulated by the Palestinian Prisoner Club. Medical professionals in Gaza have identified signs of torture on the bodies of deceased Palestinians returned after recent conflicts, raising alarm over human rights violations.

As public figures mobilize to support Mohammed Ibrahim, including Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, who called for urgent action on social media, the imperative for a comprehensive advocacy effort is increasingly clear. The Biden administration’s next steps may hold crucial implications for Mohammad’s wellbeing and the broader discourse on the rights of Palestinian minors.

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