Title: Hamas Releases Video of Israeli Woman Held Hostage in Gaza
Subtitle: 21-year-old Miya Schem seeks safe return home after being injured in the October 7 attacks
New Delhi – Hamas, the militant organization operating in the Gaza Strip, has released a video of an Israeli woman who was taken hostage during the October 7 attacks that resulted in over 1,300 casualties and sparked a war in Gaza. The attacks reportedly led to the abduction of approximately 200 people.
In the video released by Hamas’ military wing, Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the captured woman is identified as 21-year-old Miya Schem, whose arm can be seen wrapped in bandages. Miya claims to be from Sderot, a small Israeli city near the Gaza border. According to her, she was attending the Supernova Sukkot Music Festival on Kibbutz Re’im when Hamas operatives attacked the gathering, leaving at least 260 people dead and several others, including Miya, taken as hostages.
The video, which lasts just over a minute, shows healthcare professionals dressing Miya’s injury. She reveals that she underwent a three-hour surgery to treat her arm. Miya pleads for her safe return to her family, urging authorities to expedite the process.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have confirmed that Mia was abducted during the attacks and are in constant contact with her family. In a message posted on Twitter, the IDF condemned Hamas as a “horrific terrorist organization responsible for the murder and abduction of babies, children, men, women, and the elderly.” They vowed to utilize all available resources to secure the release of all hostages, including Miya.
Miya’s family expressed relief upon seeing the video, stating that they are pleased to witness her safety. She holds dual Israeli-French citizenship, and her family, along with other French families, had sought the assistance of French President Emmanuel Macron to secure the release of their relatives.
The situation remains tense, with efforts underway to negotiate the safe return of all hostages, including Miya Schem. As the world watches, hopes are high for a swift resolution to this distressing ordeal.