After More Than a Decade in Captivity, Avera Embraces his Family

After over ten years in Hamas captivity, Avera Mengistu’s nightmare has finally come to an end. On Saturday morning, he returned from Gaza to his family

First Embrace | Photo: Oz Shechter, GPO

On September 7, 2014, a few weeks after the IDF military operation “Protective Edge” ended , Avera Mengistu crossed the security fence near Zikim Beach and entered the Gaza Strip. He had since been held there. Today (Saturday), after more than a decade, he returned to his family.

The First Moments Captured by the Cameras:

Avera with his family | Photo: Oz Shechter, GPO
At the hospital | Photo: Oz Shechter, GPO
Photo: Oz Shechter, GPO

At 11:40 AM, the first footage of Avera was released, capturing the moment he saw IDF soldiers for the first time.

Avera Mengistu with IDF soldiers | Photo: IDF Spokesperson’s Unit

An hour later, he landed at the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov Hospital) in Tel Aviv.

Upon arrival at the hospital | Photo: Yossi Zamir/Flash90

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