The heartbroken mother of kidnapped Israeli Mia Shem said she was “begging the world to bring my baby home” after Hamas terrorists featured her in a disturbing hostage-taking video.
Keren Schem, whose daughter is a French and Israeli citizen, called for the return of her child and all 199 other hostages taken on October 7.
She said the 21-year-old, who was shot and then kidnapped at the Nova Festival near the Israeli border, “just went to a party, to a festival, to have fun… and now she’s in Gaza.”‘
A video released by her family shows Mia, who her mother has described as a “warrior”, dancing and smiling as she enjoys happier times with friends.
That’s exactly what the teenager did when her family lost contact with her and her ominous final message to another festival-goer was: “They’re shooting at us.” Please come and save us!’
Keren Shem demanded the return of her daughter and all other 199 hostages captured on October 7th.
The video released by her family shows Mia dancing and smiling as she enjoys happier times with friends
The 21-year-old is a French and Israeli citizen and was described by her mother as “creative” and “mature”. Featured in a TikTok video
At a news conference today, Keren called for the world to come together to stop Hamas, which she said had committed a “crime against humanity.”
“There were a lot of children who went to that party, a lot of babies, children, old people and Holocaust survivors who were kidnapped and whose houses were burned down,” she said.
“This is a crime against humanity and we should all gather together, stop this terror and bring everyone home.”
Keren said she spent hours calling her daughter’s phone after she disappeared from the Nova festival near Sderot, which was stormed on Oct. 7 by gunmen who killed at least 260 people and took many hostage .
Mia’s brother also said Tuesday that the family only wants one thing: for his sister “and all the other hostages captured in the Gaza Strip to be returned home.”
“Mia is an innocent child who just wanted to go to a party with her friends and ended up being kidnapped and taken away from her home.”
Keren didn’t know whether her daughter was alive or dead for over a week before the horrifying footage of her captured daughter in Gaza was released last night.
The young woman speaks to the camera in Hebrew and asks Hamas to release her and let her go home
The 21-year-old was one of dozens of people kidnapped by Hamas when it targeted the Nova festival on October 7
Keren did not know whether her daughter was alive or dead until Hamas released the footage of her daughter
Keren was supported at the press conference in Tel Aviv by former head of Israel’s Shin Bet security service, Yaakov Peri
The video, posted on the group’s official Telegram channel, shows the young woman speaking Hebrew while speaking directly to the camera.
She says she comes from central Israel and that her captors will take care of her.
In a heartbreaking message to the Israeli government, she says: “I just ask you to get me out of here as quickly as possible. Please.”
Web has decided to publish a still from the video after the 21-year-old’s family gave media organizations permission to do so.
It is the first footage released by Hamas of a hostage allegedly speaking from captivity. The caption says she was kidnapped on October 7th.
“There was a rumor that she was injured in the shoulder or leg. She was injured in the hand. “She had surgery,” Keren said.
She added to the footage: “She looks scared.” She says what to tell her. I’m very worried about her.’
Mia Schem, 21, was kidnapped by Hamas terrorists from the Nova festival on October 7th
In new footage shared online by relatives, Mia can be seen laughing with friends and family
The footage shows Ms Schem saying she is being cared for, while the footage shows her being treated for an arm injury
The festival Mia attended was one of the first places targeted by Hamas when the terror group launched its surprise attack across the Gaza border 10 days ago
Keren only learned on October 14 that her daughter had been kidnapped and was not among the many hundreds of Israelis slaughtered by Hamas.
“I was so happy, it’s so pathetic,” she told France24. “I was happy to hear that my baby was real [being held captive by] the worst enemy in the world. I mean, God knows what she’s going through.’
Keren, a single mother of four, also shared that her eldest daughter always helped her at home and described her as “my best friend.”
“She has the spirit of a 50-year-old woman, not a 20-year-old girl.” “She is so mature and a real warrior,” she said.
Keren Schem and her family speak to the press about their daughter Mia, who was featured in a Hamas hostage-taking video
Mia’s brother said the family only wanted one thing: for his sister “and all the other hostages captured in the Gaza Strip to be returned home.”
“I ask world leaders that my daughter and the other hostages be returned in the condition in which she is today,” Keren Shem said at a news conference in Tel Aviv
“I know she is with other people in Gaza and I am sure she is taking care of them.”
The festival Mia attended was one of the first places targeted by Hamas when the terror group launched its surprise attack across the Gaza border 10 days ago.
Hundreds of revelers who had been at the desert dance festival were horrifically shot by Hamas, while others were kidnapped and taken back to Gaza as hostages.
In footage of one such abduction, Noa Argamani, a 26-year-old student, was seen begging for her life on a Hamas terrorist’s motorcycle.
They were seen screaming: “Don’t kill me!” “No, no, no” – but the gunman raced 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 grieving father Yaacov gave an interview to Israeli television on Sunday after the attack.
He said, “I was hoping that it was a mistake, that it wasn’t true.” And then a guy at the hospital asked me if I wanted to see it. I said yes and then I knew for sure it was Noa…she was so petrified, so scared.’
Then he started sobbing uncontrollably. “I was always so protective, but at that moment I couldn’t protect her,” he told Israel’s Channel 12 News.
“All my life, since she was born, I have tried to protect her and hug 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 on Monday that at least 199 hostages had been taken back in Gaza, more than previously thought.
Noa’s father, Yaacov, gave an interview to Israeli television on Sunday after the attack and cried uncontrollably as he spoke about his daughter
The parents of Noa Argamani, who was kidnapped in the Israeli festival massacre, have sent their daughter a 26th birthday message in the hope that it will reach them.
It is known that more than 1,400 people were killed in the Hamas terrorist attacks on October 7, followed by thousands of deaths in Gaza from Israeli retaliatory air strikes.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) was gathering to prepare for a ground invasion of Palestinian territory, but it was postponed at the last minute over the weekend amid indications they had received new information about hostages held by Hamas.
Aaron Cohen, a former Israeli special agent, told Fox News on Sunday that claims the invasion was postponed because of bad weather may not be the true or complete reason.
A fake delay in the invasion may have given the IDF additional time to rescue hostages, a top priority for the Israeli army and government.
“You’re about to see Israel.” [do] what it does best: save good people. So stay ready,” he said.
The delay has also given Gazans additional time to flee to the southern part of the region, even as it has become clear that Hamas is blocking 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, and Yahel, 13, as well as their father Eli, are missing after the terrorist group attacked Kibbutz Be’eri in its cross-border attack on October 7.
It is feared that 13-year-old Yahel (left) and 16-year-old Noiya (right) were 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 7th. Her mother Lianne (center) was killed in the terrorist attack
Their mother Lianne, a British woman born in Bristol, was tragically killed by the terrorists and there are fears the girls were taken to Gaza by Hamas to be used as hostages.
In a tribute, British family members said Lianne was a “beloved daughter, sister, mother, aunt and friend who enriched the lives of all who were fortunate enough to have known and loved her.”
“She had a beautiful life and will be sorely missed by the heartbroken family and friends she leaves behind.”
Even though it has now been ten days since the terrorist group stormed into Israel from Gaza, details of the horrific rampage and the many victims are still emerging.
Gina Semiatich, a 90-year-old Czech-born Holocaust survivor, was tragically murdered in her home on 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 Israeli reports, Semiatich was dragged from her accommodation 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 on Kibbutz Kissufim, less than two miles from the Gaza border
Another tragic victim of the attacks appears to be a boy named Eitan, who, according to Israel’s official account on X (formerly Twitter), was celebrating his fifth birthday when he was killed by Hamas gunmen. “Instead of celebrating his birthday, his parents will mourn the death of their child on the day of his birth for the rest of their lives,” the report said, along with two pictures: one of the teen in a Spiderman costume and one of him Grave (right)
“We had spoken to her just seconds before; “She told us that she hid in the shelter because she was afraid,” her grandson said after the attack.
Speaking to Haaretz, Shmulik Harel said: “Dozens of terrorists entered Kisufi and broke into houses” in the kibbutz, which is home to fewer than 300 people.
“From outside they were shouting ‘IDF, IDF (Israeli Defense Forces)’ so we could feel safe and come out.” But the majority of residents suspected something was wrong.”
He told the Israeli newspaper that he spoke to Semiatich on the phone just moments before Hamas terrorists broke into their home. Once inside, they dragged her from her accommodation and executed her on her living room floor.
According to Israel’s official 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 mourn the death of their child on the day of his birth for the rest of their lives,” the report said, along with two pictures: one of the teen in a Spiderman costume and one of him Dig.
“May the memory of Eitan Kaptisher be a blessing,” the post reads.