Israel: Hamas holding two Israelis

Speaking to the press on Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the government was working to secure the two men's release.

"We hold Hamas responsible for their safety," Netanyahu said.

Avraham "Avra" Mengisto, an Ethiopian Israeli, crossed the border with Gaza from Ashkelon on September 7 of his own volition, the defense ministry said. The 28-year-old was reported missing 10 months ago, just after the end of the 2014 war between Israel and Hamas.

Mengisto's motivation for crossing into Gaza is unknown. The defense ministry added that it had no current information about his fate, but it did know he crossed into Gaza on foot.

The Israeli press had been aware of his disappearance, but couldn't publish anything due to a military gag order.

In a statement to the press outside the family's home, Mengisto's brother Ilan said Avra was "unwell" and asked Hamas to "release him immediately." It was not immediately clear in what way Mengisto was ill.

A statement from the Israeli defense ministry added that the ministry was "dealing with an additional case of an Israeli Arab, who is being held in Gaza," but did not elaborate.

Possibility of prisoner swap unclear

Hamas, which has controlled the Gaza strip since 2007, had previously denied it was holding Mengisto and has not commented since the news broke.

In 2011, the Israeli government brokered a deal with Hamas for the release of Gilad Shalit, an Israeli soldier who was abducted by militants in 2006 and held in captivity in Gaza for more than five years. He was exchanged for more than 1,000 Palestinians who were detained in Israeli jails.

However, it was unclear if Mengisto could also be bartered this way. Israeli President Reuven Rivlin said Mengisto "cannot be considered to hold tactical or strategic value in the struggle between us and Hamas or any other foes."

Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon previously told reporters that Israel was also seeking the return of the remains of two soldiers killed during the 2014 Gaza war.

Revelations of the Israelis' disappearance in Gaza coincided with the anniversary of the beginning of the 2014 war between Gaza and Israel, known in Israel as "Operation Protective Edge." During the 50-day assault, 73 Israelis were killed, including 66 soldiers, and between 1,065 and 2,101 Palestinians were killed, many of whom were believed to have been civilians. The conflict was sparked when three Israeli teenage boys were kidnapped and murdered by Hamas affiliates in the West Bank.

mes/kms (AFP,Reuters)