Brother of former hostage Avera Mengitsu missing

The brother of former Gaza hostage Avera ​​Mengistu was reported missing on Tuesday, with the Israel Police opening a search and asking the public to provide information if someone of his characteristics is seen wandering.

Ashgara Mengistu, a 34-year-old resident of Ashkelon, left his mother’s home in Ma’ale Adumim on Sunday and hasn’t been seen since, the police reported.

The police stated that Mengitsu is 1,75 meters tall, of medium build, with black hair, and listed Amharic (Ethiopia’s language) as his only language.

“Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to call the Israel Police hotline 100 or the Ashkelon Police Station at 086771440,” the police report concluded.

Avera Mengitsu’s kidnapping in Gaza didn’t happen in the same way as the rest of the October 7 victims, because he was taken by Hamas after entering Gaza by mistake after having a fight with his mother.

Mengistu, an Israeli Jew of Ethiopian descent, was said to have been suffering from mental illness when he crossed the border into the Gaza Strip on September 7, 2014.

After his older brother, Michael, suffered from anorexia and died at the age of 29, his mental state deteriorated, and he began to conduct long marches alone throughout Israel.

“Our family has endured ten years and five months of unimaginable suffering. During this time, there have been continuous efforts to secure his return, with prayers and pleas, some silent, that remained unanswered until today,” his family said after he was released.