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The brother and mother of Avraham Mengistu -- an Israeli of Ethiopian descent who is reportedly being held captive in the Gaza Strip -- appeal for his release during a press conference in the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon, on July 9, 2015. (AFP/Jack Guez)
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JERUSALEM (AFP) -- Two Israelis are being held captive in the Gaza Strip, including one detained by Hamas after crossing into the territory last year, Israel's defense ministry said Thursday.

The ministry said that "according to credible intelligence" Avraham Mengistu, an Israeli of Ethiopian descent, "is being held against his will by Hamas in Gaza."

"Furthermore, the defense establishment is currently dealing with an additional case of an Israeli Arab also being held in Gaza," it said in a statement, without providing further details on the second person.

While Hamas had not yet commented on the case, Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon alleged the two were "held by Hamas," and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: "We hold Hamas responsible for their welfare."

"I expect the international community, which expresses its concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza, to issue a clear call to release the citizens and ensure their return," Netanyahu said in a statement, adding that Israel was "working to return the two," without elaborating.

Mengistu had "independently crossed the security fence" into Gaza, on September 7, shortly after last summer's war between Israel and Hamas, the statement said.

"Israel has appealed to international and regional interlocutors to demand his immediate release and verify his well-being," the statement added.

The case had previously been kept quiet due to an Israeli gag order, which was lifted on Thursday by a judge in the southern city of Ashkelon, where Mengistu lived, local media reported.

The reports said that information on the unidentified Palestinian citizen of Israel was still under a gag order.

Israeli media reported that authorities had decided to allow the story to be released in the hope it might spur negotiations for their release.

Local media also reported that the family of Mengistu was angered by the Israeli military's reaction, alleging that more effort would have been put into finding him if he were white.

Members of Israel's 135,000-strong Ethiopian Jewish community say they suffer racism and discrimination from the Israeli government, which has systematically favored white Ashkenazi Jews in Israel. The community, and have staged several rallies against alleged police brutality and racism in recent months.

The family briefly addressed journalists outside their home on Thursday, calling on Hamas to release him and the Israeli government to work toward his safe return.

"The family chose until now to remain discrete," said brother Asho Mengistu, surrounded by other family members, including his mother, who had tears in her eyes.

Asho Mengistu said his brother was not in good health but did not provide details.