LONDON: A Palestinian-American family is trying to secure the release of a 16-year-old detained by Israel for more than five months, The Guardian reported.

Muhammad Zaher Ibrahim was detained at the family’s home in the occupied West Bank in February when he was 15, accused by Israel of throwing rocks at soldiers.

He was blindfolded, handcuffed and taken to Megiddo Prison in Israel where, his family say, he has lost a significant amount of weight while awaiting trial.

The family splits its time between their home in the West Bank town of Silwad and the city of Palm Bay, Florida.

His father Zaher Ibrahim wrote to his local Congressman Mike Haridopolos asking for help in securing his son’s release.