Avera Mengistu Leaves Hospital Following Lengthy Rehabilitation

Avera Mengistu, who spent over a decade in Hamas captivity, has been discharged from Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center’s Ichilov Hospital after five months of intensive rehabilitation. His family shared the news on Tuesday, expressing gratitude for the hospital’s dedicated support since his release on February 22.

Mengistu, 39, was freed as part of a ceasefire agreement after enduring 10 years and five months in Gaza. His sister, Alemnesh, issued a heartfelt statement on behalf of the family: “Avera has undergone a significant rehabilitation process. We are very proud of the path and the change he has gone through since his return, with all the difficulties and ups and downs he has been through a meaningful healing journey.”

The Mengistu family thanked Ichilov Hospital’s Psychiatry Division for its “dedicated, intensive and sensitive care for Avera and the family, thanks to which he can now be released.”

Mengistu, who has a history of mental health struggles, entered Gaza on his own in 2014. His release earlier this year came alongside hostages Hisham al-Sayed, Omer Shem Tov, Tal Shoham, and Omer Wenkert. Of these, al-Sayed also suffers from mental illness and crossed into Gaza voluntarily in April 2015, while Shem Tov, Shoham, and Wenkert were abducted during the Hamas-led massacre of October 7, 2023.

Following Avera’s return home, his brother Ilan remarked, “There’s a generally good feeling, but he has a long rehabilitation ahead. Avera came back alive and physically well. Despite the hell he endured, his condition is stable, and we believe he will only improve.”

The fight to bring the remaining hostages home continues. Fifty people are still held in Gaza, 49 of whom were kidnapped during the October 7 attacks. Israel also continues to demand the return of the remains of IDF Lt. Hadar Goldin, held by Hamas since 2014. Officials estimate that at least 20 hostages remain alive 655 days after the massacre.

Mengistu’s release and recovery symbolize hope and resilience amid the ongoing struggle to free those still held by Hamas.

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