Hamas Releases Video Of Israeli Woman Who Appeals To Return Home

Hamas has unveiled a video of a 21-year-old Israeli woman, Miya Schem, who was abducted in the aftermath of the October 7 attack on Gaza. In the video, the woman's arm was visibly covered in bandages.

Released Video

On October 16, the military branch of Hamas, known as Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, published a video of Schem. The French-Israeli woman appears on camera with a heavily injured arm, and she proceeds to address the audience directly. Furthermore, she is seen being treated by a medical worker.

Le #Hamas commence son petit jeu sordide et publie sur sa chaine Telegram, la vidéo d'une otage.
Ici, Mia Schem, kidnappée samedi au Festival Supernova et amenée à #Gaza.
Elle est visiblement blessé au bras et explique, comme prévu, être bien traité, nourri, logée, blanchi.💀 pic.twitter.com/U1ieOXDzdU

— Crétin des Alpes (@Krokenbouche) October 16, 2023

As reported by NDTV, in the video, Schem mentioned that she hails from Sderot, a small Israeli town situated close to the Gaza border. She further explained that she had undergone a three-hour surgical procedure for her injury.

"They are taking good care of me, providing medical treatment, and administering medication. Everything is fine. I'm simply appealing to be reunited with my family – my parents, my siblings – and to return home as swiftly as possible. Please help us get out of here as soon as you can."

Israeli Defence Forces Confirm

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have verified that Schem was taken captive last week and have communicated with Schem's family. The IDF released a statement expressing ongoing communication with the Schem family and condemning Hamas as a terrorist organization engaged in violence. 

The statement also mentioned the utilisation of comprehensive intelligence and operational strategies to secure the return of the hostages.

"In the video, Hamas attempts to present itself as a compassionate organization, despite being accountable for the killing and abduction of infants, women, youngsters, and senior citizens," the statement pointed out.

Last week, Mia was abducted by Hamas.

IDF officials have since informed Mia’s family and are in continuous contact with them.

In the video published by Hamas, they try to portray themselves as humane. However, they are a horrorific terrorist organization responsible for the…

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 16, 2023

Schem's family has reacted to the video, expressing their relief at seeing her in a safe condition. Schem holds dual citizenship in Israel and France, and her family was part of a group of French families who appealed to French President Emmanuel Macron last week for assistance in securing the release of their loved ones.

Israel-Hamas War

On October 7, Hamas attacked the Supernova Sukkot Music Festival hosted on Kibbutz Re'im. The attack resulted in the deaths of approximately 260 individuals at the music festival, while others, including Schem, were captured.

Furthermore, the attack ignited a conflict in Gaza. 

As Israel's escalating airstrikes and blockade on Gaza have continued, the 2.3 million inhabitants of the region find themselves without access to electricity, placing an enormous strain on healthcare and water services. Additionally, there's a dwindling supply of fuel for hospital generators.

According to officials in Gaza, Israel's retaliatory attacks have resulted in the deaths of at least 2,750 individuals so far, with approximately 25% of them being children. Nearly 10,000 people have sustained injuries, and approximately 1,000 individuals are unaccounted for, possibly trapped under the debris.

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