The Israeli government has confirmed the identities of two people from Tanzania believed to be held by Hamas since the October 7 attack on communities in southern Israel, near the border with Gaza.
Joshua Loitu Mollel and Clemence Felix Mtenga were in Israel as a part of an agricultural internship program, according to information from Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“They were kidnapped by Hamas terrorists and are being held hostage in Gaza,” the message said. “Please join us in praying for their safe and immediate return.”
Mollel and Mtenga were part of a group of students staying at Kibbutz Nahal Oz, according to an NGO source. They had been missing since the attacks, but Israel had yet to confirm their identities or report what happened to them.
Tanzania said Thursday that it was aware of two missing students who are part of a group of 260 Tanzanians in Israel, but had yet to confirm their whereabouts. Nine of the Tanzanians in Israel returned home on October 18.
The news comes amid discussions of a Hamas proposal to release hostages. The Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hossein Amirabdollahian, said last week that Hamas is ready to release hostages but “the world should support the release of 6,000 Palestinians” who have been held in Israeli prisons.
“The leaders of the Hamas liberation movement have voiced readiness to release the non-military prisoners and Iran, Turkey and Qatar stand ready to play their part in this very important endeavor,” said the Iranian diplomat.
The Israeli embassy in Pretoria previously reported two South Africans, an Eritrean and one Sudanese national also were among the dead or missing.
Image: Israel MFA
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