abou_elkacem
Junior Member
Two Israeli citizens are being held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday, a situation that could lead to demands for a prisoner exchange between Israel and the Islamist militant group.
Hamas, which has been in control of the small coastal territory since 2007 and fought three wars with Israel since then, declined to comment.
"We are working for the return of the two Israelis who crossed the border into Gaza," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, confirming information that has been restricted by the Israeli military censor since last September.
"We hold Hamas responsible for their safety."
Israel's defence ministry identified one of those held as Avraham Mengisto, 26, an Israeli of Ethiopian origin. The other is an Israeli Arab who was not named.
The ministry said it believed Mengisto, a resident of Ashkelon, a city close to the Gaza border, had crossed into the coastal territory on foot on Sept. 7, 2014. It gave no details on how or when the Israeli Arab had entered the territory.
Uk.reuters.com
Hamas, which has been in control of the small coastal territory since 2007 and fought three wars with Israel since then, declined to comment.
"We are working for the return of the two Israelis who crossed the border into Gaza," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, confirming information that has been restricted by the Israeli military censor since last September.
"We hold Hamas responsible for their safety."
Israel's defence ministry identified one of those held as Avraham Mengisto, 26, an Israeli of Ethiopian origin. The other is an Israeli Arab who was not named.
The ministry said it believed Mengisto, a resident of Ashkelon, a city close to the Gaza border, had crossed into the coastal territory on foot on Sept. 7, 2014. It gave no details on how or when the Israeli Arab had entered the territory.
Uk.reuters.com