The exchanges of prisoners within the framework of the ceasefire in Gaza continues. Hamas must release four new Israeli hostages on Saturday January 25 against Palestinian prisoners. The names of four Israeli must be announced by the armed group.
In all, at the end of the six weeks of the first phase of the ceasefire, 33 Israelis put in secrecy must regain freedom. Among them are the names of two men, who were not kidnapped on October 7, 2023 but over ten years ago, in 2014 and 2015. These are the hostages of Hamas abandoned so far by Israel. The prospect of their release arouses hope in Tel Aviv.
On the Place des Otages, Micky holds the stand of yellow and posters. On one of them, she shows the face of Avera Mengistu: “We found her post if you want one! said the volunteer. The legend in Hebrew next to him means’ Don’t leave me on the other side. ” Avera Mengitsu, a falacha (name given to the Ethiopian community of Israel), now 38 years old, entered the Gaza strip on foot and its own free will in 2014. He never returned.
“There is a culture here that makes no one left behind.”
Micky, volunteer on the Place des Hotages de Tel Avivin franceinfo
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The same scenario occurred a year later for the other captive, Hicham al-Sayed, now 35 years old, whose photo is hung on a tent on the Place des Otages de Tel Aviv. Both are described as psychologically unstable by their loved ones. “I want to believe that they will come back home, as long as the truce will hold. These are two hostages and Israel never forgets its people. None has been forgotten”says Micky.
And yet nothing has happened, deplore Tamar and Noam who walk in this place like every day. “It is true that we repeated their names, we carried out actions … maybe not enough, if it was necessary to wait until now“Regrets one. “I think the government has forgotten. But people, no. And that’s what gives me hope! We want everyone to come back!”assures the other.
That the two men are always captive of Hamas reveals an impotence at the top of the state, denounces Gal: “It was the government’s responsibility to have them released a long time ago, and we did not do it. They were overlooked. I think that is what happens when you are part of a minority: the ‘One of them is Ethiopian, the other is Arabic!
There is nothing to ensure that the two men come back from Vivant Gaza. In more than ten years, only a few rare proofs of lives have filtered.
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