Ahmed Manasra embraces freedom after more than 9 years of imprisonment.

Ahmad Manasra carried nothing but the innocence of childhood when he was arrested by the occupying forces. Yet, they saw in him nothing but an "enemy," simply because he is Palestinian. Wounded and with a fractured skull, he was dragged into the depths of prison cells. The walls of his solitary cell bear witness to his screams, and the interrogation chair still holds the tremors of his small body. He was tortured, beaten, isolated, overwhelmed by deafening sounds that shattered his childhood, and bombarded with questions far beyond his years. He was denied medical care, denied hope, and deprived of his mother’s embrace.

And yet, he did not break. Because Ahmad was never alone, he was a child representing a nation. A living reminder to the world that the occupation shows no mercy, not even to children.

Today, after nine years and six months behind bars, Ahmad is expected to be released.