Netanyahu: Israel knows Avera Mengistu is alive in Gaza

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seen during a visit to the West Bank on January 17, 2023

(photo credit: CHAIM TZACH/GPO)

Hamas released a video that depicted Mengistu, an Israeli civilian, speaking a few short sentences on Monday.

Israel has known that Avera Mengistu, held captive in Gaza by Hamas since 2014, was alive, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday.

Netanyahu uttered the first public confirmation of the matter one day after Hamas released a video that depicted Mengistu, an Israeli civilian, speaking a few short sentences. There were no visuals in the video by which to date the clip