Avera Mengistu, an Ethiopian-born Israeli, has finally returned home after a decade-long ordeal in Hamas captivity. Mengistu spent 3,821 harrowing days in captivity, only to be released in Rafah on Saturday as part of a fragile ceasefire deal.
Mengistu's journey began in 2014 when he was taken by terrorists in Gaza. His family has spent years advocating for his return, often facing silence and uncertainty. In a statement, Mengistu's family expressed their relief, stating, "Our family has endured ten years and five months of unimaginable suffering... Today, they can finally hold him again."
Upon his release, Mengistu was reunited with his family at an IDF facility near the Gaza border. An emotional video showed him embracing his loved ones after years apart. Despite the joy of his return, Mengistu's family emphasized that their fight is far from over, echoing the sentiments of the Shoham family, whose son Tal was also released.
The release of Mengistu and Shoham marks a significant milestone in the ceasefire agreement, with four more hostages expected to be freed. However, the families of the hostages emphasized the need for continued efforts to bring home all remaining hostages, both living and deceased.
Source: https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/33509318/mengistu-freed-gaza-hostages-hamas-israel/