Israel Turns to U.N., Red Cross, Pope for Help in Releasing Hostages, Soldiers’ Bodies From Gaza

Israel is asking the Vatican, the United Nations, the Red Cross, and other international bodies for their help in releasing Israeli citizens and the bodies of dead soldiers from Hamas in Gaza.

Under the direction of Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, his office sent letters to Pope Francis and senior officials of U.N. bodies – including Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Red Cross President Gail McGovern, and WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus – requesting that they act for the release of Israeli citizens and the bodies of soldiers being held captive in the Gaza Strip.

The request came after Hamas posted a video of who it said was Avera Mengistu, who crossed into Gaza in 2014 and has been held in captivity ever since. If officially verified, it would be the first proof of life of Mengistu in over eight years.

Hisham al-Sayed – who voluntarily crossed the border into Gaza in 2015 – has also been held by Hamas ever since, as have the bodies of Lt. Hadar Goldin and Staff Sgt. Oron Shaul, Hy”d, who were killed in 2014.

“Bringing the bodies of the soldiers to the kever Yisrael and returning the Israeli citizens to… their families is a moral obligation of the Israeli government and of all representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Israel and the world,” Cohen said in a statement. “We will continue to work with the international community to expose the cruel face of the terrorist organization Hamas until they are returned home.”