Identity of Tanzanian Students Held Hostage by Hamas in Gaza Revealed

Israeli and Tanzanian authorities have identified Joshua Loitu Mollel and Clemence Felix Mtenga as the two Tanzanian students who were taken hostage by Hamas in Gaza. The students were in Israel as part of an agricultural internship program, according to Israel's foreign ministry. Hamas terrorists kidnapped them and are currently holding them hostage in Gaza. Mr. Mollel's father expressed hope that his son would return safely, and mentioned that Tanzania's ambassador to Israel assured him that both governments were working together to secure their release. Prior to the confirmation of his son's hostage situation, Mr. Mollel mentioned that he couldn't eat or sleep due to the anxiety of not knowing what happened to him. The last time he spoke to his son, he advised him to be on his best behavior and make the most of the internship. The family of Mr. Mtenga has not made any public statements. These two students were among 260 Tanzanian students in Israel. On October 7th, Hamas carried out an attack on Kibbutz Nahal Oz, where Mr. Mollel was studying, resulting in the death of 1,400 people. Over 220 hostages were taken to the Gaza Strip, which is controlled by Hamas. Israel claims that the hostages come from 25 different countries, including an unidentified South African citizen. The South African authorities have not provided any comments. Hamas claims to have hidden the hostages in safe places and tunnels within Gaza. Of the hostages, four have been released, including an 85-year-old grandmother named Yocheved Lifschitz, who was kidnapped along with her husband from a different kibbutz. During the handover, Lifschitz shook hands with her Hamas captor, stating that she had been beaten with sticks during the journey but was otherwise well treated. In response to the attack, Israel conducted airstrikes that have reportedly killed over 8,000 people, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which is controlled by Hamas.