AFTER an entire decade of harrowing uncertainty, Avera Mengistu is home at last.

The Ethiopian-born Israeli hostage, who spent a harrowing 3,821 days in Hamas captivity, was released in Rafah on Saturday as part of the fragile ceasefire deal.

The Ethiopian-born Israeli was caught by terrorists in Gaza back in 2014

Mengistu, who was handed over alongside October 7 victim Tal Shoham, crossed into Israel and arrived at a military reception point, the IDF confirmed.

They were then reunited with their families before being airlifted to medical facilities for further evaluation.

They are two of the six hostages being freed from Hamas's claws today.

The six are said to be the last living hostages Hamas will release during the first phase of the fragile ceasefire agreement.


A DECADE IN CAPTIVITY
Mengistu, an Ethiopian-born Israeli, was held in Gaza for ten years and five months after crossing into the Strip in 2014.

His family has spend years pleading for his return, often met with silence.
“Our family has endured ten years and five months of unimaginable suffering,” they said in a statement.

“During this time, there have been continuous efforts to secure his return, with prayers and pleas, some silent, that remained unanswered until today.”

Unlike Shoham, who appeared visibly pale and underweight on Saturday's hostage handover, Mengistu was seen in relatively stable condition, retaining a similar body weight to when he was taken.

Upon his return, Mengistu was seen meeting members of his family at an IDF facility near the Gaza border.

An emotional video shared by the military showed Mengistu tightly embracing his loved ones after years apart.

"Avera Mengistu’s family has suffered his absence for a decade, not knowing if he was safe or even alive.

"Today, they can finally hold him again.”

Mengistu and Shoham’s release was part of a broader deal, marking the first time hostages were freed in Rafah.

Despite the joy of these reunions, both families emphasised that the fight is not over.

“We must not miss this window of opportunity,” the Shoham family said.

“Children need their fathers. We must return all hostages home: the living for rehabilitation and the deceased for eternal rest.”

Source;
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/33509318/mengistu-freed-gaza-hostages-hamas-israel/
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