Gaza: Two Israelis with Mental Health Conditions Disappeared

2,970 views · Published 2 May 2017 · 2:14 · Indexed 17 October 2026

Channel: Human Rights Watch · 2017 · News & Politics

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Two Israeli men with serious mental health conditions who crossed separately from Israel into the Gaza Strip in 2014 and 2015 have apparently been held by the Hamas military wing, Human Rights Watch said today. Avera Mangistu and Hisham al-Sayed, who both have histories of wandering far on foot, including across borders without authorization, have not been heard from since they entered Gaza.

Hamas authorities have indirectly acknowledged in media statements holding the two men, but say they will divulge nothing about them – not even to confirm their detention – until Israel frees a group of detained Hamas members. Hamas authorities refer to the men as soldiers, but a Human Rights Watch investigation indicates that the Israeli men were not combatants or affiliated with the Israeli government when they entered Gaza.

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