Hamas release disturbing video of Israeli hostage, 21, kidnapped from Nova Festival and taken across the border to Gaza begging: ‘Bring me home to my family as soon as possible’
Hamas has released disturbing video footage of an Israeli festival-goer being kidnapped by the terrorist group and taken to Gaza.
In the video, which was published on Hamas’s official Telegram channel, a young woman speaking Hebrew addresses the camera directly and claims to be from central Israel.
The woman, Maya Shem, who was kidnapped at the Nova Festival, says her captors are taking care of her, adding, “I just ask that you get me out of here as soon as possible. Please.’
MailOnline has decided to publish one still image from the video after the 21-year-old’s family gave media organizations permission to do so.
The images are the first released by Hamas of a hostage who allegedly spoke from captivity, with the caption saying she was kidnapped on October 7, when Hamas attacked southern Israel.
The young woman speaks to the camera in Hebrew and asks Hamas to release her and let her go home
The woman, Maya Shem, 21, was taken at the Nova festival on October 7
The footage shows Ms Shem saying she is being cared for, while footage shows her being treated for an injury to her arm.
The 21-year-old was among dozens of people kidnapped by Hamas as they targeted the Nova festival on October 7.
The festival was one of the first places Hamas targeted when the terror group launched its sneak attack across the border 10 days ago.
Hundreds of revelers who had attended the desert dance festival were brutally shot by Hamas, while others were kidnapped and taken back to Gaza as hostages.
In footage of one such kidnapping, Noa Argamani, a 26-year-old student, was seen begging for her life on the back of a Hamas terrorist’s motorcycle.
She was seen shouting: ‘Don’t kill me! No, no, no” – but the gunman rushes away. Noa has not been seen since.
Her friend Avi Nathan was left desperate and helpless in the desert. He is also missing.
Noa’s grief-stricken father Yaacov gave an interview to Israeli television on Sunday after the attack.
He said: ‘I was hoping this was a mistake and it wasn’t true. And then a man in the hospital asked if I wanted to see him. I said yes and then I’m sure it’s Noa… she was so petrified, so scared.’
Then he started sobbing uncontrollably. “I was always so protective, but at this moment I couldn’t protect her,” he told Israeli broadcaster Channel 12 News.
‘All my life since she was born I have tried to protect her and cuddle her, support her and love her. I wish I could at least encourage her or say something to her in this difficult moment.”
The Israeli military confirmed Monday that at least 199 hostages have been taken back in Gaza, more than previous estimates.
Noa’s father Yaacov gave an interview to Israeli television on Sunday after the attack and cried uncontrollably when talking about his daughter
The parents of Noa Argamani, who was kidnapped during the Israeli festival massacre, have sent a 26th birthday message to their daughter in the ‘hope it will reach her’
More than 1,400 people are known to have been killed by the Hamas terrorist attacks on October 7, which have since been followed by thousands killed in Gaza in retaliation by Israeli airstrikes.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have been massing in preparation for a ground invasion of Palestinian territory, but this was postponed at the last minute over the weekend amid suggestions that they had received new intelligence about hostages taken by Hamas.
Aaron Cohen, a former Israeli special operator, told Fox News on Sunday that claims that the invasion was postponed due to bad weather may not be the real or full reason.
A mock delay in the invasion may have given the IDF additional time to rescue hostages, which is a top priority for the Israeli military and government.
“You’re about to see Israel (do) what it does best: save good people. So stick with it,” he said.
The delay has also given Gaza residents extra time to flee to the southern part of the region, although it has become clear that Hamas is blocking the Palestinians’ ability to reach safety.
Rishi Sunak confirmed on Monday that six Britons were killed in last week’s Hamas attacks, while another 10 are missing, some of whom are feared dead.
Among the missing are two British teenage sisters who have not been heard from since Hamas attacked the community where they were staying.
Noiya, 16 years old, and Yahel, 13 years old, are missing along with their father Eli after the terrorist group attacked Kibbutz Be’eri during its cross-border attack on October 7.
Yahel, 13 years old (left), and Noiya, 16 years old (right), are feared kidnapped by Hamas in last week’s attack
Yahel (left) and Noiya (right) have not been heard from since the attack on Kibbutz Be’eri on October 7. Their mother Lianne (center) died in the terrorist attack
Their mother Lianne, who was British and born in Bristol, was tragically killed by the terrorists amid fears the girls had been taken to Gaza by Hamas to be used as hostages.
In a tribute, British relatives said Lianne was a “beloved daughter, sister, mother, aunt and friend who enriched the lives of all who were fortunate enough to know and love her.”
‘She lived a beautiful life and will be greatly missed by the heartbroken family and friends she leaves behind.’
Although it has now been ten days since the terrorist group stormed into Israel from Gaza, details are still emerging about the horrific disaster and its many victims.
Gina Semiatich, a 90-year-old Czech-born Holocaust survivor, was tragically murdered in her home in Kibbutz Kissufim, less than two miles from the Gaza border. Eitan Kaptisher was celebrating his fifth birthday when he was killed by Hamas gunmen.
According to reports in Israel, Semiatich was dragged from her hiding place by the terrorists and shot in the head in her living room.
Gina Semiatich, a 90-year-old Czech-born Holocaust survivor, was tragically murdered in her home in Kibbutz Kissufim, less than three kilometers from the Gaza border
Another tragic victim of the attacks appears to be a boy named Eitan, who, according to the official Israeli account on X (formerly Twitter), was celebrating his fifth birthday when he was murdered by Hamas gunmen. “Instead of celebrating his birthday, his parents will spend the rest of their lives mourning the death of their child on the day he was born,” the report said, along with two photos: one of the boy wearing a Spiderman costume, and another one of his. grave (right)
“We had spoken to her a few seconds earlier; She told us she hid in the shelter, scared,” her grandson said in the aftermath of the attack.
Speaking to Haaretz, Shmulik Harel said: “Dozens of terrorists entered Kisufi and broke into houses” in the kibbutz, where fewer than 300 people live.
“From outside they shouted ‘IDF, IDF (Israel Defense Forces)’ so we felt safe and could come out. But the majority of residents suspected something was wrong.’
He told the Israeli newspaper that he was on the phone with Semiatich just before the Hamas terrorists entered her home. Once inside, they dragged her from her hiding place and executed her on her living room floor.
According to the official Israeli account on X (formerly Twitter), Eitan Kaptisher was celebrating his fifth birthday when he was killed by Hamas gunmen.
“Instead of celebrating his birthday, his parents will spend the rest of their lives mourning the death of their child on the day he was born,” the report said, along with two photos: one of the boy wearing a Spiderman costume, and another one of his. grave.
“May the memory of Eitan Kaptisher be a blessing,” the post read.