An American teen beaten by Israeli forces while on holiday has called for calm claiming that nobody deserves to die.

Tariq Abu Khdeir, 15, from Tampa, Florida, was beaten by Israeli forces while on a trip to the middle east to visit relatives.

The youngster, who is of Palestinian / American heritage, was arrested by Israeli authorities on suspicion of being involved in a violent protest surrounding the death of his cousin Mohammed Abu Khdeir.

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Tariq Abu Khdeir, pictured, was beaten up by Israeli forces while visiting relatives in the troubled region

Around 50 supporters of Mr Khdeir greeted him upon his return to Florida waving US and Palestinian flags

Mr Khdeir said after his ordeal he would never think of freedom again in the same way as prior to his arrest

Mr Khdeir arrived back in the US yesterday and was greeted by approximately 50 supporters who were waving Palestinian flags.

Speaking to reporters after his return to Tampa, Mr Khdeir said: 'I am only 15 but I will never think of freedom the same as I did two months ago

'No child, whether they are Palestinian or Israeli, deserves to die.'

Mr Khdeir's family denied that the teenager was involved in any protest.

His cousin was murdered by Israeli extremists in revenge for the murder of three Israeli teenagers by Palestinian terrorists.

Mr Khdeir said: 'I got through these past two weeks because I knew you were all thinking of me.

Mr Khdeir, pictured, was held under house arrest for nine days after the beating before returning to the US

After his release from custody, Mr Khdeir met Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas, right

'It feels so good to be back in Tampa. Can I even put it in words? I can't wait to go back to play with my friends and go fishing.

Hassan Shibly, the teen's attorney and the executive director of the Florida chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, had said Monday that Tariq suffered head trauma and had to receive stitches on his face when beaten two weeks ago as he was arrested during a protest.

Supporters say Tariq's beating was videotaped. The Israeli justice ministry has said an investigation has been opened into the footage.

There were no immediately apparent signs of injuries to Khdeir on his arrival.

Israeli authorities released Tariq shortly after his arrest and sentenced him to nine days of house arrest while they investigated what they say was his participation in violent protests over the death of Tariq's cousin, 16-year-old Mohammed Abu Khdeir.

His family denied that he participated in the protests. Palestinians suspect Mohammed Abu Khdeir was killed by Israeli extremists exacting revenge for the abduction and killings of three Israeli teens in the West Bank last month.

His mother, Suha Khdeir, said Wednesday in Tampa that the last two weeks had been a 'nightmare', She wiped tears from her eyes as she spoke and added she was 'grateful' for the support she received at home in the Tampa area.

'I cannot begin to describe to you the pain I felt when I looked at his face for the first time after that beating,' she said.

Friends and family have said Mr Khdeir went on a vacation to visit relatives he hadn't seen in about 10 years — not to be part of a conflict. They have described him as a good student who likes basketball, soccer and video games.

His arrest happened shortly before Israel attacked Gaza to stop Hamas members from launching rockets into its territory. Earlier Wednesday, Israel and Hamas agreed to a five-hour UN brokered 'humanitarian' pause to their 9-day-long battle, offering the most encouraging sign yet that the fierce fighting could come to an end. Israel's bombardment of Gaza has killed more than 200 Palestinians, including four boys struck on a beach Wednesday by shells fired from a navy ship.