New Delhi: Hamas on Monday night released the first video of a hostage it allegedly took during its attack on southern Israel on 7 October on their Telegram channel.
The 78-second video, released by Hamas’s military wing the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam brigades, shows an injured girl, who identified herself as 21-year-old Mia Schem from Shoham, in central Israel.
Schem, who also has French citizenship, was abducted on 7 October from the Supernova music festival where at least 260 were killed. Her family has confirmed her identity to Reuters.
She is Mia Schem was kidnapped by Hamas terrorists while participating in the desert rave in Kibbutz Re’im. pic.twitter.com/Krmo8xy8ao
— Aditya (@AdityaDntCare) October 16, 2023
The footage reportedly showed Shem’s arm being bandaged by a medical worker, though the timing of the recording was unclear. The video then cut to Schem speaking directly to the camera – identifying herself and saying she was operated upon for three hours for an injury to her hand.
In the context of the ongoing situation, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have been actively seeking information from the local population regarding the hostages. This effort highlights the complexities surrounding the hostage situation and the measures being taken to ensure their safe return.
“They’re caring for me, they’re treating me, they’re giving me medication. Everything is okay,” she said. “I’m only asking for me to be returned home as soon as possible, to my family, to my parents, to my siblings. Please get us out of here as soon as possible.”
Earlier on Tuesday, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) confirmed Schem had been abducted by Hamas last week. It said her family had been informed and that the force was in “continuous contact” with them.
The IDF also said Hamas was trying to “portray themselves as humane” in the video. “However, they are a horrorific terrorist organization responsible for the murder and abduction of babies, children, men, women and the elderly,” it posted on X.
The Israeli force also said it was “deploying all intelligence and operational measures for the return of all hostages — including Mia”.
The IDF has said Hamas was holding 199 hostages in Gaza. The hostages are believed to be mostly civilians, ranging from infants to octogenarians. Many like Schem have dual nationality.
Meanwhile, Hamas has said it would use these captives as leverage to free 6,000 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons.
The hostages were taken on 7 October when Hamas gunmen attacked southern Israeli communities, including the music festival, killing over 1,300 people. Israel immediately launched a counter-offensive on Gaza, which led to the deaths of over 2700 people. Israel, at the moment, is poised for a ground invasion.
Also read: US President Biden to visit Israel amid humanitarian crisis sparked by Israel-Hamas war