President Rivlin and PM Netanyahu on Israeli citizens being held in Gaza
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 President Rivlin & PM Netanyahu on Israeli citize

  • 7/9/2015
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    ​Avraham Mengistu, 29, of Ashkelon has been missing since September 2014 after crossing into Gaza, presumed being held by Hamas. A second Israeli citizen, a Bedouin resident of the south, is also reported missing in Gaza. (Ynet report)
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    President Reuven Rivlin President Reuven Rivlin Copyright: GPO/Mark Neiman
     
     
    (Communicated by the President's Spokesperson)

    President Reuven Rivlin issued the following statement on July 9, 2015:
    "This is a painful situation which I, together with the relevant officials at the President's Office, have been following closely since it began.
    I am in contact with the Mengistu family and I know that all the relevant authorities have been working tirelessly, and monitoring the issue closely, from the moment Avraham crossed over the fence. This is a humanitarian issue, and we expect those holding him to behave accordingly and return him in good health. According to the information which has arisen, Mengistu is being held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip. We will continue to make every effort in order to bring an end to this incident, as soon as possible."

    PM Netanyahu on two Israelis who crossed into Gaza


    (Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser)

     Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued the following statement today (Thursday, 9 July 2015):
     "We are working to return the two Israelis who crossed the fence into Gaza. We hold Hamas responsible for their welfare. I have appointed a representative to coordinate all activity on the issue and to be in contact with the families. Yesterday I spoke with the parents and siblings of Avraham Mengistu and I told them that from as soon as the incident became known we have spared no effort to return him to Israel. We agreed to meet soon. I expect the international community, which expresses its concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza, to issue a clear call for these citizens to be released and to see to their return."