UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is calling on Palestinians in Gaza with knowledge of two missing Israeli civilians to provide information about their possible whereabouts and conditions.

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Monday the secretary-general is also calling for prompt action to facilitate their safe return to their families.

Israeli defense officials identified one of the men as Avera Mengistu, an Israeli of Ethiopian descent in his late 20s who "independently" entered Gaza on Sept. 7, 2014, two weeks after the end of Israel's war with Hamas, which controls Gaza.

Israel said the second man was a Bedouin Arab citizen from southern Israel but gave no further information.

Open gallery view Avraham Mengistu Credit: AP

Dujarric said Ban "underscores the responsibility of all parties to protect and respect the rights of civilians," and will continue to closely monitor developments.

He said the United Nations will continue to closely monitor developments.

Last week's announcement about the two missing Israelis brought back bitter memories of the case of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit who was captured and imprisoned for five years by Hamas.



But circumstances have changed dramatically since Shalit's release in a 2011 prisoner swap, and Israeli observers say what happens to the two missing civilians could provide an important test of a new fragile detente that has emerged between Israel and Hamas since last year's devastating war.



Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said last week he held Hamas responsible for the fate of both men. He said Israel is working to free them.