Zecharias Zelalem
THREAD: Some notes on Avera Mengistu
Avera Mengistu, 38, is an Ethiopian born Israeli civilian held hostage by Hamas in Gaza since 2014. He has a history of mental illness that exempted him from IDF service.
In Sept 2014, he scaled the wall separating Israel from Gaza, and crossed into Gaza. He is believed to have been kidnapped afterwards.
With the ceasefire, he is reportedly set for release soon.
Zecharias Zelalem
Avera's case is nearly identical to that of Hisham al-Sayed, a Bedouin Arab Israeli citizen who was similarly exempted from mandatory IDF service due to mental illness. He had reportedly ventured into the West Bank numerous times, being arrested by Palestinian authorities before being returned to Israel. In 2015, like Avera, he wandered alone into Gaza & disappeared.
Hisham is also expected to be released soon as part of the ceasefire deal.
Zecharias Zelalem
The families of both special needs hostages, have spent the last decade campaigning heavily for the releases of their loved ones. The causes are a source of brewing resent in the Ethiopian and Bedouin communities in Israel.
Members of both communities criticize the Israeli government for the lack of initiative, especially when compared with the extent it went to raise awareness and ultimately free IDF soldier Gilad Shalit who was held by Hamas from 2006-2011.
Zecharias Zelalem
The only images of Hisham & Avera from the last decade, have been from Hamas propaganda releases. This one is from January 2023. In 2022, Hamas released footage of a bedridden Hisham hooked to an oxygen tank after his health deteriorated.
Bedouin elders attempted to make contact with Hamas on the family's behalf, but they were rebuffed by Hamas leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, who made it clear that without an exchange, Hisham would never be released.
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/hamas-footage-israel-captive-gaza-avera-mengistu
Zecharias Zelalem
In 2016, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked his Ethiopian counterpart, Hailemariam Desalegn to assist with efforts to secure the release of the Ethiopian born hostage.
Despite Ethiopia's warm ties with Israel, Netanyahu might have thought that Ethiopia's recognition of Palestinian statehood could have served as leverage in negotiations with Hamas.
Ultimately, it proved fruitless. Ethiopia isn't known to have intervened in any capacity on Avera's behalf.
Zecharias Zelalem
Later, in 2019, Avera's mother Agarnesh met Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed when he visited Israel. This meeting also appears to have simply been a publicity stunt, to give the impression that efforts were ongoing.
Agarnesh would eventually accuse the Israeli government of doing nothing concrete to save her son.
Zecharias Zelalem
Avera's family has accused the Israeli state of racism, saying far more would have been done had he been white. According to Avera's brother, the government urged the family initially to be silent about the kidnapping, to not endanger possible rescue efforts. A media gag order was enacted as well. Eventually, they grew frustrated and began to speak openly.
Hamas, also echoed the racism accusation in a tweet made before its permanent ban from Twitter.
Zecharias Zelalem
Hisham and Avera are among the names of 33 Israeli hostages submitted by Hamas to ceasefire mediators. The two will be released in the ceasefire's "first phase," which will coincide with an Israeli troop withdrawal, and the releases of Palestinian hostages.
If everything pans out as planned, these mothers should be reunited soon with their sons, after a decade long ordeal.
FIN.
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