Unprecedented Footage: Hamas Unveils Captivity of Hostage in Gaza

The brief video portrays Mia Schem reclining on a bed, receiving assistance from an individual off-camera as they bind her right arm. Notably, a prominent, newly formed scar is clearly discernible.

Schem, a 21-year-old woman of French-Israeli descent, is currently being detained by the militant group Hamas within the Gaza Strip. Significantly, this footage disclosed by Hamas on Monday signifies the initial visual record of any of the numerous individuals presently held captive within the region.

Sitting up straight with her head held high, Schem, who appears pale, addresses the camera. She explains that she was injured and taken to Gaza and fervently appeals to be reunited with her family. Throughout her speech, the sound of loud rumbling can be heard in the background.

Speaking to reporters in Tel Aviv on Tuesday, Schem's mother passionately pleaded with the government and global leaders to facilitate the safe return of her daughter. Clutching a photograph of her precious child, Keren Scharf Schem implored, "I beseech the world to bring my beloved back to her home. She had simply gone to enjoy a festive gathering, and now she finds herself in Gaza, where numerous others are also in a similar predicament."

Scharf Schem revealed that she was unsure of her daughter's fate until Monday, only knowing that there was a possibility she had been abducted.

"I witnessed her being alive, I noticed that she had... Prior to this, there were speculations about her being shot in the shoulder or leg, so I observed the injury on her shoulder. It was evident that she had undergone surgery. She appeared extremely frightened, expressing immense pain. Furthermore, it was clear that she was following the instructions given to her," she informed the media. Schem passionately pleaded for an end to this terror and demanded the safe return of her daughter and the other hostages.

Schem's mother expressed to CNN on Monday her belief in her daughter's resilience, stating, "She possesses exceptional strength, which is why we firmly believed in our hearts that she is alive, as she will never surrender." However, CNN is unable to independently confirm the location, time, and current state of Schem as portrayed in the video.

The IDF stated that they have informed Schems family about her abduction last week and are currently maintaining communication with them. According to IDF spokesperson Maj. Libby Weiss, the release of the video by Hamas is viewed as another tactic to psychologically target the Israeli civilian population. CNN has chosen not to publish the video.

An undated image of Mia Schem prior to the Hamas attacks on Israel. She is being held hostage by the group, which released a video of Schem on Monday.

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The number of hostages held in Gaza remains uncertain. According to Abu Obaida, a spokesperson for the Al-Qassam Brigades, the Hamas military wing, there are approximately 200 hostages held by Al-Qassam Brigades. The remaining hostages are held by other "militant formations" in Gaza. Due to ongoing Israeli bombardment, it is currently impossible to determine the precise number of hostages in the area.

The IDF has launched continuous airstrikes and artillery attacks on Gaza in response to the recent deadly terror attack by Hamas. According to Palestinian news agency WAFA, the death toll in Gaza has exceeded 2,800 people.

In a statement on Monday, the Israeli military revealed that they were aware of at least 199 individuals being held captive in Gaza. The IDF emphasized their commitment to utilizing all available intelligence and operational resources to secure the release of the hostages. They also condemned Hamas for attempting to portray themselves as a humanitarian organization when their actions clearly demonstrate their role as a ruthless terrorist group, responsible for the killings and kidnappings of innocent individuals, including infants, women, children, and the elderly.

Abu Obaida asserted that 22 hostages in Gaza lost their lives due to Israeli airstrikes, which also claimed the life of an Israeli artist on Saturday. CNN cannot verify these claims independently.

Additionally, Abu Obaida mentioned that the Al-Qassam Brigades will release hostages with foreign citizenship when the "opportunity arises on the ground." He emphasized Al-Qassam's unwavering commitment to safeguarding them.

Schem was abducted from the Nova festival in close proximity to the Gaza Strip following a terrorist assault initiated by Hamas fighters, resulting in a devastating death toll of over 1,400 individuals. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have reported that at least 260 bodies were discovered at the festival location.

Scharf Schem affectionately referred to Mia as the "heart of the family". Describing her as a compassionate sibling and her closest confidante, Scharf Schem revealed that Mia had sent a distressing message to a friend who was present at the festival. The message read, "Help! We are being shot at, please come and rescue us."

"If you can see us, Mia, we want to convey a message from our entire family and all the people in Israel," stated Eli Schem, the brother of Schem. "Our hearts ache for your return, and we will stop at nothing to bring you back home."