Hamas releases first video of Israeli hostage in Gaza

The video, released on Hamas’ telegram channel, shows 21-year-old Mia Shem receiving medical treatment and pleading to go home as soon as possible | WATCH

Hamas released a video of a 21-year-old French-Israeli hostage Maya Sham, who is being held in Gaza.

Palestinian militant group Hamas has released the first clip showing an Israeli hostage being held by in the Gaza Strip.

The video features 21-year-old French-Israeli Mia Shem, who was snatched from the desert during an outdoor music festival on October 7.

In the footage, Mia says that she injured her arm very badly and was treated for her injuries. She says that everything is “fine” and asks to be brought home as soon as possible.

“I’m being cared for, I’m getting medications,” she said in the footage.“I’m only asking for me to be returned home as soon as possible, to my family, to my parents, to my siblings. Please get me out of here as soon as possible.”

The IDF responded on Monday evening to Hamas’ publication of the video.

“Last week, Mia Shem’s family was informed by IDF officials that Mia had been abducted. IDF representatives are in continuous contact with the family,” the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit said in a statement.

“The IDF is deploying all intelligence and operational measures for the return of the hostages.”

“In the video, Hamas is trying to portray itself as a humane organization, while it is a murderous terrorist organization responsible for the murder and abduction of babies, women, children, and elderly,” the statement concluded.

The Israeli army has confirmed at least 199 hostages were taken to Gaza, while while Hamas claimed earlier Monday that it and other factions are holding around 250 captives.

Abu Obeideh, spokesman for Hamas’s military wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, said in a televised statement earlier Monday that some foreign hostages would be released by the group “when conditions are ripe”.

Officials in both Israel and Gaza have denied any prisoner swap talks.

- With AFP