Avera Mengistu

IDF kills Hamas terrorist who held three hostages, Sinwar's ex-bodyguard, others in Gaza strikes

The IDF and the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) also confirmed it killed Razek Sahil Suleiman Abu Shahma, Yahya Sinwar’s bodyguard and a Hamas Nukhba terrorist who infiltrated Re’im on October 7.

|ByJAMES GENN, CORINNE BAUM
An IDF biographical infographic on Hamas terrorist Ismail Mohammed Ibrahim Barim, who held three hostages in the Gaza Strip, published August 27, 2026.
Ashgara Mengistu, Avera Mengitsu's brother, is missing.

Brother of former hostage Avera Mengitsu missing, police ask public for help with search

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.

|ByTOBIAS HOLCMAN
Avera Mengistu seen ahead of his release from Gaza, February 22, 2025

IDF carried out mission to locate former hostage Avera Mengistu a day before Oct. 7 - KAN

The mission reportedly failed to identify Mengistu, and also did not detect Hamas' preparations for an attack, sources familiar with the matter told KAN.

|ByTOBIAS HOLCMAN
Former hostage Avera Mengistu about to embrace his family at Sourasky Medical Center.

Former Hamas hostage Avera Mengistu released from hospital

Mengistu was held in terror captivity in the Gaza Strip for almost 11 years before being released in February. He had been hospitalized since his release.

|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF, YAIR YANGA

Rivlin: The release of Mengistu is a humanitarian issue, we expect Hamas to let him go

Ashkelon Mayor Shimoni visits Mengistu family, says the municipality has been accompanying them since the first moment that he went missing.

JULY 9, 2015ByJPOST.COM STAFF
Journalist talking to family of Avera Mengistu