Tragic End to Kidnapping Ordeal: German-Israeli Citizen Shani Louk Abducted During Hamas Attacks Confirmed Dead
In a heartbreaking turn of events, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs has officially confirmed the death of Shani Nicole Louk, a German-Israeli citizen who was abducted by Hamas militants during the attacks on October 7. Shani’s family had been anxiously awaiting news of her fate, and their worst fears have now been realized.
Shani Louk, a German-Israeli woman kidnapped by Hamas during its attack on a music festival-Source: X
Shani Louk, a 23-year-old woman, was abducted from a music festival in southern Israel, an area that fell victim to a terrorist attack carried out by Hamas militants earlier this month. Her abduction sent shockwaves through both Germany and Israel, as her dual nationality made her a subject of international concern.
The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs made the somber announcement on its social media platform, Twitter, stating, “We sadly confirm the death of Shani Louk, the German-Israeli citizen who was kidnapped during a music festival, subjected to torture, and moved from place to place in Gaza by Hamas terrorists. She endured unimaginable horrors.”
We are devastated to share that the death of 23 year old German-Israeli Shani Luk was confirmed.
Shani who was kidnapped from a music festival and tortured and paraded around Gaza by Hamas terrorists, experienced unfathomable horrors.
Our hearts are broken 💔.
May her memory… pic.twitter.com/svSArX3XSx
— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) October 30, 2023
Israeli President Isaac Herzog, speaking to the German newspaper Bild, expressed his deep sorrow and condemned the heinous acts witnessed at the Gaza-Israel border. He said, “What we saw at the Gaza-Israel border goes beyond a massacre. It was nothing short of an atrocity.”
Shani’s mother, Ricarda Louk, had received information from the Israeli army that her daughter had not survived the ordeal. She shared this tragic news with the German television station RTL/ntv, saying, “Unfortunately, we received the news yesterday that my daughter is no longer alive.” Her sister, Adi, also confirmed Shani’s death in a heartfelt Instagram post, saying, “With deep sadness, we announce the passing of my sister Chani Nicole Z.L.”
In Berlin, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs acknowledged the death of another individual with German nationality, without disclosing the name. The spokesperson explained that based on available information, it was necessary to confirm the death of this second individual, but specific details of individual cases could not be provided. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs assumes that fewer than ten German citizens were among those killed by Hamas terrorists following the attack on Israel.
According to information from RTL/ntv, Shani Louk’s identity was confirmed through DNA analysis. Her parents had provided the necessary comparison material long before. A family source told Reuters that a part of the body matching Chani’s DNA was found.
🇮🇱🇩🇪 FamÃlia de Shani Louk é informada de sua morte durante ataque do Hamas
– Shani Louk, 22 anos, teve sua morte confirmada durante o ataque do Hamas em 7 de outubro;
– “Infelizmente recebemos a notÃcia ontem de que minha filha não está mais viva”, diz a mãe Ricarda Louk ao… pic.twitter.com/QixXhUwg1c— Tarciso Morais (@TarcisoRenova) October 30, 2023
Initially, Shani’s family, some of whom reside in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, had believed she had sustained severe head injuries during the attack but was alive and in Gaza. They received this information from a “trusted source in Gaza.” However, as the days passed, their hopes turned to despair.
Shani Louk held both German and Israeli citizenship but had never lived in Germany. She regularly visited the country to stay in touch with her relatives. Her mother, Ricarda, had emigrated to Israel after converting from Catholicism to Judaism, while her father is an Israeli Jew.
These tragic events unfolded in the aftermath of a terrorist attack by Hamas on Israeli towns near the Gaza border, resulting in the deaths of at least 1,400 people and the hostage-taking of more than 229 individuals, including several Germans. Dozens of people remain unaccounted for, according to the Israeli military.
