The mother of Mia Shem, a 21-year-old French-Israeli woman taken hostage by Hamas, has made an emotional plea for her daughter's release. Keren Shem addressed reporters in Tel Aviv, holding a photo of Mia and saying, 'I'm begging the world to bring my baby back home.' Mia is among at least 198 people abducted during the 7 October attack on Israeli communities and a music festival.
Hamas released a video on Monday evening showing Mia with a wounded arm, speaking in Hebrew and asking to be returned to her family. Her mother said Mia had only gone to a festival party 'to have some fun.' The French foreign ministry condemned the video as 'vile,' and President Emmanuel Macron demanded her immediate release, calling the hostage display 'odious.'
Israel's military denounced the video as 'psychological terror' and said it is in contact with Mia's family. The military added that Hamas had 'murdered and abducted babies, women, children and the elderly' and was now trying to portray itself as humane. Keren Shem described the kidnappings as 'a crime against humanity' and called for global action to stop the terror and bring all hostages home.
At least 199 hostages are believed to be held by Hamas in Gaza, with many said to be in need of urgent medical care. Among them are up to 10 British nationals, according to UK Foreign Office Minister Andrew Mitchell, who said the government is doing all it can to secure their release. However, a senior Hamas figure stated that foreign prisoners cannot be freed while Israeli air strikes continue.
Hamas's military wing claimed that 22 hostages have been killed in Israeli bombardment, though there is no independent verification. Meanwhile, the group said in another video that non-Israeli hostages are 'our guests' and would be freed 'when circumstances allow.' The situation remains tense as international efforts to secure the hostages' release continue.
