Israeli Woman Kidnapped by Hamas Freed After 245 Days

Israeli Woman Kidnapped by Hamas Freed After 245 Days

Keywords: Gaza Strip, Hamas, Israel, Kidnapping, Prisoner Exchange

An Israeli woman who was kidnapped by Hamas militants from a wedding festival in the Gaza Strip last August has been released after 245 days in captivity.

Avera Mengistu, a 28-year-old Israeli of Ethiopian descent, crossed the border into Gaza on August 7, 2021, and was abducted by Hamas shortly after. Her family and Israeli authorities had been negotiating her release since then.

On March 21, 2023, Mengistu was finally released as part of a prisoner exchange deal between Israel and Hamas. Israel agreed to release two Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Mengistu, who was transferred to Egypt and then flown to Israel.

Mengistu’s release was met with joy and relief by her family and the Israeli government. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed her back to Israel and praised the intelligence and security forces involved in her return.

The kidnapping and detention of Mengistu were widely condemned by the international community. The United Nations, the United States, and the European Union called for her immediate release.

The prisoner exchange deal marks a significant step in the ongoing negotiations between Israel and Hamas. It is hoped that Mengistu’s release will pave the way for a broader resolution to the conflict in the Gaza Strip.