Israeli Woman Kidnapped by Hamas at Music Festival, Discovered Deceased by Israel
23-year-old German-Israeli woman, Shani Louk, abducted by Hamas militants from a music festival, tragically found deceased Israeli authorities confirm her untimely demise
The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Monday that the body of Shani (Louk), a 23-year-old German-Israeli woman who was abducted by Hamas militants during the Nova music festival on October 7, has been discovered and identified.
Louk attended the festival in southern Israel on October 7th when Hamas crossed the border separating Gaza and Israel.
According to the statement from the foreign ministry, Louk was abducted during the festival by Hamas terrorists who subjected her to torture and public humiliation in Gaza. The statement further described her ordeal as unimaginably horrific.
The statement expressed the hope that her memory would be a source of blessing. Videos from the site depicted militants obstructing the road to the festival and subsequently infiltrating the expansive premises by foot during their assault on October 7.
They then encircled the crowds on three sides, gunning them down and forcing them to flee over fields to the east.
Israeli tanks and other military vehicles manoeuvre inside Gaza, as seen from Israel, on October 29, 2023.
Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters
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In a previous interview with CNN, Ricarda Louk, the mother of Shani, revealed that she had spoken to her daughter during the recent escalation of rockets and alarms in southern Israel. She had called to check if Shani had found a safe place amidst the chaos. Shani informed her mother that she was at the festival but struggled to find secure hiding spots.
Ricarda informed CNN that while she was on her way to her car, there were military personnel guarding the vehicles and firing shots to prevent people from accessing their cars or leaving. It was during this chaotic situation that her daughter was taken. Ricarda expressed her desire to be reunited with her daughter, although she acknowledged that the circumstances seemed grim. Despite the bleakness, Ricarda maintained a glimmer of hope, fearing that her daughter would be used as a bargaining chip and praying that she was still alive. Holding onto this hope was essential for Ricarda since there was nothing else to cling to in this distressing situation.
At the Nova festival site, over 260 bodies were discovered, as reported by Israeli rescue service Zaka. However, CNN's analysis suggests that the actual number of deaths could be even greater.
Following the music festival attack, a video captured Louk, an individual who held dual Israeli-German citizenship, appearing unconscious on the back of a Hamas truck.
Louk's mother expressed to CNN her fear and concern after watching the video, as it was impossible to determine whether her daughter was alive or dead. The incident was incredibly frightening, and they were deeply worried. Louk's mother also mentioned that she had reached out to the German government for assistance in securing her daughter's release. Louk herself shared her disbelief at how such a brutal event could occur unexpectedly in broad daylight.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a press conference in Tel Aviv on October 28.
Abir Sultan/Pool/AFP/Getty Images
Netanyahu under pressure from hostages families and cabinet as Gaza operation escalates
Hamas has taken several hostages back to Gaza, with the current estimate of hostages held in the enclave being 239, according to Israeli military spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari. Fortunately, four hostages have been released so far, including an American woman and her daughter, as well as an 85-year-old Israeli woman and her 79-year-old friend.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces mounting pressure from the families of hostages to secure their release through a "comprehensive deal." The urgency of these calls has intensified due to concerns over the safety of the hostages trapped in Gaza amidst Israel's expanding ground operations. To address these concerns, Netanyahu held a meeting with the families in Tel Aviv on Saturday, where they pressed for answers regarding the security of their loved ones and urged him to take decisive action as Israel's offensive continues to escalate.
"We unequivocally expressed to the prime minister that the families would only consider a comprehensive deal based on the principle of 'everyone for everyone,' which has the full support of all of Israel," stated Meirav Leshem Gonen, mother of Romi Gonen, who was abducted at the festival. This statement was made during a news conference following the meeting.
According to the Palestinian Prisoners Club, a non-governmental organization, such a deal would entail the release of the hostages in exchange for the currently incarcerated Palestinians, estimated to be 6,630 individuals.
CNNs Anna Chernova, Yong Xiong and Christian Edwards contributed reporting.
