Hamas Releases Hostage Video of Injured French–Israeli Woman

Keren Schem, mother of Mia Schem—who was kidnapped in Israel by Hamas terrorists on Oct. 7—at a press conference in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Oct. 17, 2023. Ohad Zwigenberg/AP Photo

The Hamas terrorist group released a video Monday showing a statement from one of the hostages seized at an open-air music festival during the devastating Oct. 7 attack on Israel.

In the footage, the young woman—whose injured arm is shown being treated by an unidentified medical worker—identifies herself as 21-year-old Mia Schem, and asks to be returned to her family as quickly as possible.

A representative of the family, which was among a group of French families that appealed to French President Emmanuel Macron last week to help free their missing relatives, confirmed her identity to Reuters.

Keren Schem, mother of Mia Schem—who was kidnapped in Israel by Hamas terrorists on Oct. 7—at a press conference in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Oct. 17, 2023. Ronen Zvulun/Reuters

The girl is shown lying in a bed while her right arms is being bandaged. Four bolts connected by a carbon rod protrude from her upper arm, suggesting she sustained an open fracture of the humeral shaft.

“Hello, I’m Mia Schem. I’m 21 years old. I’m currently in Gaza,” she tells the camera, as explosions could be heard in the background—presumably Israeli airstrikes.

“I was taken here Saturday morning from Sderot. I was at a party. I seriously injured my hand when they took me to Gaza. They performed a three-hour surgery on my hand. They took care of me, treated me, and gave me medicine. All is well.”

“I am desperate for them to bring me home as quickly as possible,” she added.

“For the sake of my family, my father and mother, and my brothers—please get us out of here as soon as possible.”

Taken Hostage

At least 199 Israelis and foreigners were seized by Hamas gunmen and taken captive in the attack, which killed 1,300 people—the largest number of fatal casualties in a single day in Israel’s 75-year history.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) issued a statement on the X social media platform that it was in constant contact with Ms. Schem’s family, and condemned Hamas as a “horrific terrorist organization.”

“In the video published by Hamas, they try to portray themselves as humane,“ the IDF statement reads. The IDF then asserted that Hamas is ”responsible for the murder and abduction of babies, children, men, women, and the elderly.”

“At this time, we are deploying all intelligence and operational measures for the return of all hostages—including Mia,” the IDF stated.

Earlier, Hamas’ armed wing said non-Israelis kidnapped on Oct. 7 were “guests” who would be released “when circumstances allow.”

During the attack, Ms. Schem was able to send a text message to a friend, her mother said. “They’re shooting at us. Please come and save us,” the message read.

Twelve French citizens have been confirmed dead in Israel, while 17 more are still missing—including Ms. Schem.

Reuters contributed to this report.

From NTD News