- By Munira Hussein & Alex Smith
- BBC News, Dar es Salaam and London
Image source, MASHAV Israel
Clemence Felix Mtenga was studying agriculture in Israel at the time of the 7 October attack
The Tanzanian government has confirmed the death of a student taken hostage in the Hamas attack on Israel.
Clemence Felix Mtenga, 22, was one of two Tanzanians taken by the group on 7 October. It is unclear how he died.
The country’s foreign ministry said it was in touch with Israel over the other Tanzanian hostage, Joshua Mollel.
More than 230 hostages were taken in the assault by Hamas, and at least 1,200 people killed.
Israel says the hostages – which were taken from Israel to the Gaza Strip – come from 25 countries, including one South African who is yet to be identified.
Approximately 260 Tanzanians study agriculture in Israel, and both Mr Mtenga and Mr Mollel had been in the country as part of an agricultural internship programme, Israel’s foreign ministry said on X.
The pair had only landed in Israel in September, and were due to study there for 11 months.
She said: “He should be courageous where he is, know that we love him and that we pray for him day and night, hoping that he will be back soon.”
Tanzania’s foreign ministry said Mr Mtenga’s family had been informed, and that officials were liaising with the Israeli government to send his body home.
Mr Mollel’s situation is currently unclear.
Before it was confirmed that he had been taken hostage, his father told the BBC he could not eat or sleep because he was desperate to know what had happened to him.
The last words he said to his son before he disappeared were: “Be on your best behaviour because you’re somewhere new, and make the most of the internship you’re there to do.”
Hamas – considered a terrorist organisation by the UK, the US and some other countries – says it has hidden the hostages in “safe places and tunnels” within Gaza.
Emily Foster is a globe-trotting journalist based in the UK. Her articles offer readers a global perspective on international events, exploring complex geopolitical issues and providing a nuanced view of the world’s most pressing challenges.
