Israel: Mum learns daughter was taken by Hamas after body paraded | World News
A woman whose naked body was paraded through the streets in the back of a truck by Hamas terrorists has been identified by her family.
Shani Louk was among the hundreds of victims in Israel when Palestinian fighters targeted a rave near Kibbutz Urim, in the Negev desert, and other communities in the south.
Footage circulating on social media showed her body splayed in the back of the vehicle, surrounded by militants chanting ‘Allahu Akbar’ and waving their guns in the air.
Follow the latest on the Israel-Palestine conflict over on our live blog.
It was just one of many disturbing videos of hostage-takings in Israel in the last 24 hours.
Her family tried calling her when they awoke to reports that Hamas had launched a surprise attack on Israel and fighters had crossed over from the Gaza Strip.
Shani had been attending the outdoor dance party with her boyfriend when the attack happened.
Tom Weintraub Louk, her cousin, told the Washington Post: ‘We knew she was in the party. She didn’t answer.’
Later in the morning, her parents recognised their daughter in the video online by the tattoos, and the long dreadlocks.
It is yet unknown if Shani is dead or where she is, but her family has not given up hope.
‘We have some kind of hope,’ Tom added, but they are still awaiting for news.
Her mother, Ricarda, released a heartbreaking video begging for help to find out what happened to her daughter.
Holding a picture of Shani on her mobile, she said: ‘My daughter, Shani Nicole Louk, a German citizen, was kidnapped with a group of tourists in southern Israel by Palestinian Hamas.
‘We were sent a video in which I could clearly see our daughter unconscious in the car with the Palestinians and them driving around the Gaza Strip.
‘I ask you to send us any help or any news.’
Like Shani’s parents, many have learnt of loved ones’ fate by watching abductions captured on camera and later shared on social media.
Earlier today, military spokesperson, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, confirmed some of Israelis’ worst fears since the assault began that a number of women and children have been taken by Hamas.
The exact number remains unconfirmed, but the Israeli Embassy to the US said that more than 100 people have been abducted.
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