Hamas releases video of French-Israeli woman allegedly held captive
Agency
October 17, 2023 07:00 MYT
Hamas releases video of French-Israeli woman allegedly held captive
GAZA: Hamas forces released a video recording of a French-Israeli woman they allegedly captured in the Gaza Strip.
In the video, 21-year-old Mia Schem from Shoham, Israel claims that she suffered an arm injury and was taken to Gaza.
Schem's family representatives told CNN they had expressed consent to the publication and broadcast of the video.
This is the first video released by Hamas regarding their captives in Gaza.
In a similar development, Israeli authorities believe there are 199 people detained in Gaza, while Hamas representatives said on Monday that at least between 200-250 prisoners were being held across the territory.
The Israel Defense Forces in a statement released said they informed the Schem family about the woman's abduction last week and are still in touch.
Israel also said, they use "all information and operational means to bring the prisoners home."
In fact, Isreael emphasized: "Hamas tries to present itself as a humanitarian organization (at the same time) acting as a terrorist organization that carries out murders and kidnappings against babies, women, children, and the elderly."
A representative from the Al-Qassam Brigades, the military branch of Hamas, previously issued a statement that the group was "determined" to protect prisoners and would release prisoners of foreign nationality when "the opportunity presents itself." - Agency
