Trump should demand the release of US hostage Mohammed Ibrahim held by Israel

by Mahmoud El-Yousseph
November 12, 2025
Like numerous other children taken hostage by Israel, 16 y/o American citizen Mohammed Ibrahim was kidnapped from his home by soldiers at 3 am on the accusation of "throwing rocks," and has waited 9 months for a trial while he shows signs of torture, has lost much weight, and is suffering from scabies in the horrendous conditions of his prison. Photo credit: Muna Ibrahim

I decided to send President Trump this picture below and the story of 16 y/o U.S. citizen Mohammed Zaher Ibrahim from Florida who has been unlawfully detained, tortured, and starved at an Israeli prison and pleaded with him to call for the immediate and unconditional release of this American teenage hostage held in Israel since last February.

President Trump spent the last two years tweeting and lobbying for the release of Israeli POWs. He even threatened with "hell to pay" if Hamas doesn't release "all" of the Israeli hostages. 

Mohammed is an American child who has reportedly lost over 25 pounds (approximately 11.3 kg) during his detention in Israeli prisons. His family has reported that he has lost nearly a quarter of his body weight and he has also developed scabies as they were told by the U.S embassy in Israel and the US State Department. Plus, this teenager has celebrated his 16th birthday in prison per Middle East Eye report.

Mohammed's family have met with US lawmakers in Washington and pleaded for help for the release of their son. All what they get from Democratic and Republican officials was:

* We do not interfere with the internal affairs of foreign countries.

* We are doing behind closed diplomacy. (A polite version of, "We have better things to do.")

* Don't call us, we will call you. (Nothing more than B.S.)

* The White House tweeted on Oct. 7, 2025, "President Trump is committed to bringing every hostage home.💛🇺🇸"

* Where is Governor Ron DeathSentence when you need him? 

I have always found it funny and odd that:

* Dozens of US lawmakers who are funding Israel's war machine to the tune of tens of billions of US dollars per year have asked Mike Huckabee to intervene but to no avail.

* US ambassador to Israel was able attend Netanyahu's hearing but did not bother to call for Mohammed's release.

* Last March, President Trump ordered his Middle East envoy to hold a direct talk with Hamas whom the US designated a terrorist organization to secure the release of Edan Alexander, 22, an Israeli American from New Jersey who chose to enlist in the IDF instead of US armed forces. 

* Following the goodwill gesture by Hamas to release Alexander, the US failed to deliver on its promise of ordering Israel to allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza.

* In November 2018, US ambassador in Israel demanded the immediate release of a dual Palestinian-U.S. citizen held by the Palestinian Authority after being charged with helping to sell a Palestinian-owned home to an Israeli citizen.

* Unlike families of Israelis held prisoners in Gaza, Ibrahim's family has never been invited to the White House, US State Department, Joint Section of Congress, or by major news media to tell their story.

* Why is a US teenager being sentenced in a military court and not a civilian court like his Israeli counterpart?

* I still remember former VP Harris tweeted in August 2022 after the Russian court sentenced WNBA star Brittney Griner to nine years in prison after she was found guilty of drug charges, "@POTUS and I and our entire Administration are working every day to reunite Brittney with loved ones who miss each of them dearly." Griner was later released in a prisoner exchange deal with Russia.

* We give the state of Israel more aid than any country on the face of the earth. That is $10 million/ per day. Can't the US government call a shot every once in a while?

This story of Mohammed Ibrahim should alarm every single American who values our constitutional rights, the basic element of democracy, and defending your fellow American who is unfairly treated in a foreign country that claimed to be our closest ally.

I fail to understand why no one cares in America. The lack of concern and lack of humanity of what is happening to Muhammad by public officials and media outlets is unbelievable. It is obvious America has double standards when it comes to Americans in distress abroad, one for Muslims and Arabs, and one for ALL OTHERS.

President Trump who has long embraced the phrase “America First,” should put this into practice and demand Mohammed Ibrahim's immediate and unconditional release.

Mahmoud El-Youseph is a Palestinian freelance writer and retired U.S. Air Force veteran. He writes on U.S. foreign policy, Middle East affairs, and justice. Email: elyousseph6@yahoo.com


 

President Trump welcome Edan Alexandor at the White House on the second anniversary of the October 7 attack. Alexander is a US-Israeli soldier and former POW who was held for 584 days. Alexander chose to enlist in the IDF instead of the US military; Palestinian American 16 y/o Mohammed Zaher Ibrahim from Florida remains locked up in an Israeli prison without trial since last February.