Shani Louk, 23, kidnapped by Hamas from music event, found dead, Israel claims

The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported the death of a 23-year-old German-Israeli woman kidnapped from the Nova music festival by Hamas militants on October 7.

On Monday, the ministry announced on X, previously Twitter, “We are devastated to share that the body of 23 year old German-Israeli Shani (Louk) was found and identified.”

Hamas stormed the Gaza-Israel border on October 7 when Louk was enjoying a festival in southern Israel.

Louk was kidnapped at the festival and “tortured and paraded around Gaza by Hamas terrorists,” the foreign ministry stated. She “experienced unfathomable horrors.”

“May her memory be a blessing,” it said.

Several hostages returned to Gaza. Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, Israeli military spokesperson, claimed Sunday that Hamas holds 239 hostages in the enclave.

On Monday, the Israel Defense Forces announced a female Israeli soldier kidnapped by Hamas on October 7 was released during ground operations in Gaza.

The IDF stated that “the soldier was medically checked, is doing well, and has met with her family.”

First, an American mother and her daughter were released, then an 85-year-old Israeli woman and her 79-year-old a friend.