'Only Netanyahu Knows if My Son Will Return': Family Reveals First Sign of Hostage From Gaza

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is the only one who can decide whether Avera Mengistu will be returned to his family, his father said, as the family released the first photo of the hostage since he was taken captive in 2014.

The Mengistu family has been campaigning for his release for years, but Netanyahu has so far refused to negotiate with Hamas, the militant group that is holding him captive. The family is now hoping that the release of the photo will put pressure on Netanyahu to act.

"Only Netanyahu knows if my son will return," Avera's father, Shlomo Mengistu, said at a press conference in Jerusalem on Monday. "He is the only one who can make the decision."

Shlomo Mengistu said that the photo was taken by a Hamas member and smuggled out of Gaza. He said that the photo is proof that his son is still alive and that he is being held in good condition.

The photo shows Avera Mengistu wearing an orange jumpsuit and sitting in a chair. He is unshaven and his hair is long and matted. He is looking directly at the camera, and his expression is calm.

Shlomo Mengistu said that the family has been through a "living hell" since Avera was taken captive. He said that they have been constantly worried about his health and safety, and that they have been desperate to bring him home.

"We are not giving up hope," Shlomo Mengistu said. "We will never give up hope."

The Mengistu family's campaign for Avera's release has been supported by a number of high-profile figures, including former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and former US President Jimmy Carter.

In 2017, the family filed a petition with the Israeli Supreme Court, demanding that the government negotiate for Avera's release. The court has yet to rule on the petition.

The Israeli government has said that it is committed to securing the release of all Israeli hostages, but that it will not negotiate with Hamas. Hamas has said that it is willing to negotiate a prisoner swap, but that Israel must first release Palestinian prisoners.

The Mengistu family is calling on the Israeli government to change its policy and to negotiate with Hamas for Avera's release. They are also calling on the international community to pressure Israel to act.

"We are asking the world to help us bring our son home," Shlomo Mengistu said. "We need your help."