Hamas held mentally ill Israelis hostages for over a decade: A tale of abuse and neglect

Their release yesterday after more than 10 years in Gaza is a bittersweet moment that provides some relief for their families, but it also brings to the forefront the gross failures of several systems—Hamas, Israel's mental health system, and international institutions.

Avera Mengistu, an Ethiopian immigrant, and Hisham al-Sayed, a Bedouin, both suffer from schizophrenia, a condition that makes it difficult for them to fully comprehend or control their actions. Both men crossed into Gaza voluntarily—Mengistu in 2014 and al-Sayed in 2015—likely unaware of the danger they were placing themselves in. For years, their disappearances were barely acknowledged by the public, with minimal efforts made by authorities to negotiate their release.

While Israelis rallied for the release of high-profile hostages like Gilad Shalit, Mengistu and al-Sayed were largely neglected. Despite their mental health conditions, which made them vulnerable, their kidnapping went largely unaddressed until the tragic escalation of the conflict in October 2023. The kidnapping of these two men was not seen as a priority, likely because they came from marginalized communities and were living with mental illnesses, which led to a lack of public outcry.

The abuse they suffered under Hamas is unimaginable. These young men, who should have had their lives filled with opportunity and support, were instead subjected to untold suffering in captivity. For years, their families fought for their release, often in isolation, with little support from the broader Israeli community or government. The voices of their relatives, like that of Gil Elias, Mengistu's relative, who threatened to expose the government's failure to act, barely made an impact.

The sad truth is that Mengistu and al-Sayed were not seen as valuable by Hamas, who has long used hostages as political pawns. As victims of violence and neglect, their plight reflects the deep moral failings of the terror group and, sadly, the indifference of those in positions of power who failed to make their return a priority for over a decade.

After years of isolation and abuse, these two men are finally home. But their story is more than a tale of individual suffering—it's a reflection of systemic failures. It’s a reminder of how society often fails its most vulnerable, particularly those living with mental illness, poverty, and discrimination. Israel’s mental health system, already overstretched, is a key area in which the country must reform to ensure that the mentally ill, particularly those from marginalized communities, receive the care and support they need to avoid such tragedies.

Hamas's cruelty in holding two vulnerable men hostage for over a decade must serve as a wake-up call. These men, who had no ability to understand the dangers they faced, are now free—but their story should remind the world of the consequences of ignoring the most vulnerable among us. Israel’s government, international organizations, and the global community must ensure that this kind of cruelty is never forgotten, and that the mentally ill and marginalized are given the attention and care they deserve to prevent future tragedies like Mengistu and al-Sayed’s.