₦airaland Forum

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.”

Botragelad:
For those who may not be aware, let me explain. The man you see here is a Black man who struggles with mental illness. He accidentally wandered into the Gaza Strip. Do you know what happened next?

Hamas immediately took him hostage, subjected him to torture, and held him for over 10 years, refusing to release him despite his mental health condition. Today, he was finally released as part of a hostage deal. This man was simply someone who was unaware and lost. Yet, Hamas paraded him publicly, and so-called Palestinians hurled vile, racist remarks at him because of his skin color. If this isn’t utterly degrading for those in the Black community who support Hamas, I don’t know what is.

Now, can anyone explain what he did to deserve such inhumane treatment? And why is there so little condemnation of Hamas for actions like these?.

Carndidlaydid:
In captivity for ten years... Lord have mercy

doggedfighter:
You and your commentary.

You just gave an eye witness report ?

madridguy:
His family claimed no one in the death cult army or political system cared for Avera’s release. Qassam insisted on releasing him

He is Ethiopian black ..

that’s why no one cared in that most racist genocidal supremacy for his release.

Botragelad:
Yes. Will you condemn Hamas for treating a random man this way or it's still resistance? 🤷🏼

Botragelad:
That's Hamas trademark, don't be surprised. They mocked his skin color today, treated him like trash before releasing him.

This is someone who accidentally walked into the Gaza strip. That was his only offense.

madridguy:
But Why was he neglected for years?

madridguy:
Israel didn’t wage war to get him back after 11 years…But there are black folk out here still supporting that terrorist colony…

Botragelad:
Why did Hamas kidnap a mentally ill black man?

Are you brave enough to condemn Hamas for kidnapping a black man or you are too scared? 😂

Botragelad:
Again, why did Hamas kidnapp a random mentally ill man for no reason?
Care to explain the reason behind their action.

madridguy:
They let him 10 years in captivity..
If he was an ashkenazi Jew, they wouldn't let stay that long...

Jews are racists even amongst themselves.

Botragelad:
For those who may not be aware, let me explain. The man you see here is a Black man who struggles with mental illness. He accidentally wandered into the Gaza Strip. Do you know what happened next?

Hamas immediately took him hostage, subjected him to torture, and held him for over 10 years, refusing to release him despite his mental health condition. Today, he was finally released as part of a hostage deal. This man was simply someone who was unaware and lost. Yet, Hamas paraded him publicly, and so-called Palestinians hurled vile, racist remarks at him because of his skin color. If this isn’t utterly degrading for those in the Black community who support Hamas, I don’t know what is.

Now, can anyone explain what he did to deserve such inhumane treatment? And why is there so little condemnation of Hamas for actions like these?.

madridguy:
I think HAMAS are more reasonable than your killer IDF that killed over 100 children in incubators.

madridguy:
I think HAMAS are more reasonable than your killer IDF that killed over 100 children in incubators.

Forkthiefnubu:
Are u serious ? This shows how this ppl truly feel about us

Botragelad:
Why do you fail to answer a very simple question. Why was a mentally ill black man kidnapped by Hamas for accidentally walking into the Gaza strip?

I will be glad if you could answer the question. Thank you!

madridguy:
Why do you fail to answer a very simple question too. Why did IDF killed over 100 little babies in incubator at the hospital?

The guy in question, how come the IDF was looking at him while walking into the Gaza strip?

I believe the guy systematically ran away from Israel to Gaza for proper treatment.

Look at how fresh he is compare to the Palestines released by the Israel.

Botragelad:
Why did Hamas kidnap hundreds of Israelis, invade, and kill even more on October 7? Why did they kidnap some random Black man, torture him for 10 years, and hold him for no reason?

You believe? 😂
You can’t even make up a decent story. First, you claimed the Israeli government abandoned him, and now you’re saying he went to Gaza for treatment? Okay, then show us the hospital where he got this so-called treatment. 😂😂😂

Botragelad:
For those who may not be aware, let me explain. The man you see here is a Black man who struggles with mental illness. He accidentally wandered into the Gaza Strip. Do you know what happened next?

Hamas immediately took him hostage, subjected him to torture, and held him for over 10 years, refusing to release him despite his mental health condition. Today, he was finally released as part of a hostage deal. This man was simply someone who was unaware and lost. Yet, Hamas paraded him publicly, and so-called Palestinians hurled vile, racist remarks at him because of his skin color. If this isn’t utterly degrading for those in the Black community who support Hamas, I don’t know what is.

Now, can anyone explain what he did to deserve such inhumane treatment? And why is there so little condemnation of Hamas for actions like these?.

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