Former Hostage Avera Mengistu Discharged from Hospital After 10 Years in Hamas Captivity
Avera Mengistu, held by Hamas for over a decade, was released from Tel Aviv’s Ichilov Hospital after extensive rehabilitation following his February 2025 liberation. His recovery, celebrated by family and supporters, highlights the challenges of reintegration after prolonged captivity.
Avera Mengistu, an Israeli held captive by Hamas for over a decade, was discharged from Tel Aviv’s Ichilov Hospital after five months of intensive medical care. Mengistu, abducted in 2014 after crossing into Gaza, was freed in February 2025 as part of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire deal that secured the release of 50 of the 251 hostages taken during Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack, which killed 1,200. Upon leaving the hospital, the 39-year-old expressed his emotions, stating, “I’m emotional. It’s been a long road.” His sister, Alemnesh Mengistu, shared her disbelief and joy, saying, “I still can’t believe he’s with us. He’s gone through an incredible journey.”
Mengistu, who has a documented history of mental health challenges, underwent a “significant rehabilitation process,” according to hospital staff, addressing both physical and psychological trauma from his 10.5 years in captivity. His family praised his resilience, with Alemnesh telling Israeli media, “I am very proud of the path and the change he has been through since his return from captivity, with all the difficulties and ups and downs, he has been through a significant healing process.” His brother Ilan, speaking in February, had cautioned that recovery would be a long journey, a sentiment echoed by doctors who noted Mengistu’s progress despite the ordeal’s toll. He is now transitioning to a long-term living arrangement tailored to his needs.
The release, celebrated across Israel, sparked emotional reactions on X, with one user posting, “Avera’s freedom is a miracle, his strength inspires us all.” Mengistu’s case, alongside that of other hostages like Hisham al-Sayed, drew attention to Hamas’s tactic of withholding information, with no proof of life provided for years. His return, part of a deal involving 700 Palestinian prisoners, was a rare diplomatic breakthrough amid ongoing Gaza operations, where 895 Israelis have died since 2023. Mengistu’s discharge marks a new chapter, symbolizing hope for a nation grappling with the war’s aftermath.