The 22-year-old German national's mother said she had received news that her daughter is in a hospital in Gaza.

The mother of Shani Louk, a 22-year-old German national believed to have been kidnapped by Hamas fighters during the militant group’s surprise attack on Israel on Saturday, said on Tuesday that her daughter is alive.

Louk, a tattoo artist, was attending the Tribe of Nova music festival in the plains of the Negev Desert near Urim, close to the Gaza Strip, on Saturday when Hamas fighters stormed the event. She’s believed to have been seized by the militants and paraded through the streets in the back of a pick-up.

…

On Tuesday, Louk’s family announced they had proof that Louk—who grew up in Israel—was alive. German news website Blick reported that her mother said she was in a hospital in Gaza with serious head injuries.

“We now have more information that Shani is alive,” her mother told television channel NTV, adding she received the information from unnamed Palestinian sources.

The mother added that Louk is seriously injured, and asked the German government for help and quick action.

  • P03 Locke@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
    15326·
    9 months ago

    While I’m glad some good news came out of this, can we maybe focus on the 1,600 other people that are missing or died during the Hamas attack? News media has this obsession over reporting on young white females in peril.

    • Zoldyck@lemmy.worldEnglish
      927·
      9 months ago

      With almost non-stop negative news the past few days, some positive news seems very welcome thb.

      • deweydecibel@lemmy.worldEnglish
        347·
        9 months ago

        She’s in a hospital with severe head injuries. And as someone else pointed out, it’s a Gaza hospital, there’s no place in Gaza that’s safe right now from Israel’s response.

        This isn’t positive news, it’s slightly less bad news.

    • CALIGVLA@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
      4014·
      9 months ago

      Reporting on brown, middle-eastern nationals? In a war in their own country? What is this woke bullshit?!

      • prole@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
        37·
        9 months ago

        Israel is an occupying force in Palestine. It’s not “their own country,” just because they say it is and have the US military to back them up.

  • Redex@lemmy.worldEnglish
    876·
    9 months ago

    Damn that really is surprising. I’m glad that she’s alive. Hope that she can return home safe.

  • laylawashere44@lemmy.blahaj.zoneEnglish
    10330·
    9 months ago

    So she is in a Gazan Hospital. The same Gazan hospitals that Israeli bombing has now overwhelmed and whose blockade is preventing humanitarian aid from entering. Hey maybe the UN was right in calling out that a total siege is illegal.

    • Khalic@kbin.social
      307·
      9 months ago

      I wanted to say: not even israel would be stupid enough to let them die of thirst… but how much crazy shit happened these last 10 years? I don’t know, I hope not…

      • gmtom@lemmy.worldEnglish
        187·
        9 months ago

        Nah Israel is exactly that crazy. They know they have the unconditional support of the west. They had the palestinians in an open air concentration camp for decades now and have committed countless war crimes against them and no one gave a shit. At this point they could unironically put arm bands on them and start shipping them off to gas chambers and the western sycophants would sing their praises still.

        • n0m4n@lemmy.worldEnglish
          72·
          9 months ago

          And when I hear of children being killed and some beheaded, I understand the hate and fear of the monstrosity that pushes this. The human shields of innocent civilians and hostages, put in place to protect military installations, demonstrates disregard of all humanity, wrapped in rabid zealotry. The reason that extreme military tactics such as crimes against humanity were put in place was also to leave a path to peace after hostilities end. Otherwise, we sink to genocide as the only solution. Zealots ignore this, eventually forcing both sides to adopt a kill them all mentality. Humanity loses.

        • qfjp@lemmy.oneEnglish
          21·
          9 months ago

          open air concentration camp

          Not necessarily totally relevant to your point, but I keep hearing this and… what exactly do people think concentration camps are? Giant tents? Repurposed community centers?

          I’m not sure I could point to one that wasn’t “open air”

          • gmtom@lemmy.worldEnglish
            21·
            9 months ago

            Have you ever visited one of the Nazi concentration camps. Its essentially a prison, lots of barrack-ensue buildings surrounded by walls and guard towers and would have been “managed” by nazi troops.

            When people say open air, I beleive they mean that its not a purpose built facility. Just miles of city that’s closed off to the outside world.

      • Aceticon@lemmy.worldEnglish
        101·
        9 months ago

        The current guy in power in Israel is a far-right nutter who wanted to subvert Democracy by removing the independence of the Judiciary.

        If this young woman is alive (and who knows, as she’s become a pawn in a propaganda war, so both sets of liars along with all the unthinking tribalist parrots are pushing opposing stories) and her death is useful for propaganda purposes, expect Bibi and his ideological accomplices to choose the options that result in making sure she’s dead if they think no blame will ever end at their door.

      • prole@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
        62·
        9 months ago

        Are you kidding?! We’re about to see human suffering on a level not seen since WW2. Netanyahu loves that this happened, because now he can indiscriminately murder and displace Palestinians without as much blowback.

    • qdJzXuisAndVQb2@lemm.eeEnglish
      919·
      9 months ago

      The blockade is enforced by Israel and Egypt together, they share the blame for this war crime.

      • laylawashere44@lemmy.blahaj.zoneEnglish
        335·
        9 months ago

        Nope. The raffa crossing into Egypt was open yesterday. In fact the IDF instructed people to leave via that crossing, then they bombed it today.

  • rullstolsbunden@lemmy.worldEnglish
    8515·
    9 months ago

    This is a big doubt. “Unnamed Palestinian sources” = Hamas propagandism.

    We have all seen the video where Hamas proudly showcases her mangled lifeless body.

    Wishful thinking from that poor mom who is being used to turn the narrative for Hamas when they realized Shani Louk was a german citizen.

  • ComputerSagtNein@lemm.eeEnglish
    6618·
    9 months ago

    Hope she’s really alive, but her life will never be the same after these horrible events :(

    • Khalic@kbin.social
      10853·
      9 months ago

      If you care about victims of rape, don’t spread that bs about “life being over” and other disheartening quotes that make them feel like a used up rag. If she survives, it’s cause for celebration, period.

      • BreakDecks@lemmy.mlEnglish
        734·
        9 months ago

        Nobody said anything about her being raped, and never said anything about her life being over. She was present during a mass-killing, was brutalized in the process, and she is now being held captive by a terrorist group. Even if Hamas wasn’t raping their victims (which they absolutely are), living through this will, without a doubt, change the trajectory of a person’s life.

        • KredeSeraf@lemmy.worldEnglish
          261·
          9 months ago

          It blows my mind that there are people who think mental recovery from things like this is a simple, easy process. Imagine all the horrors of war without any of the training and purpose of cause that allow you to cope just a bit and most still suffer from severe PTSD from that. She just got more trauma crammed into one week than many will see in their entire lives, with more to come and maybe more previously we don’t know about. Her life isn’t over, and it could eventually be fine. But it will be different.

      • LilB0kChoy@lemm.eeEnglish
        442·
        9 months ago

        I agree with the point you’re making.

        her life will never be the same after these horrible events

        I don’t think this is the equivalent of saying life is over. It’s saying that if Shani Louk is alive it’s good news while also acknowledging that there has still been significant grievous harm caused to this young woman.

        Her not being dead is not equivalent to no harm/no foul. Hamas still has responsibility for significant harm caused to Shani Louk.

        • Khalic@kbin.social
          149·
          9 months ago

          It wasn’t trying to diminish the atrocity, sorry if it came out that way. This is humanity at its lowest. I’m just happy she might still survive.

          I just keep the aggressor out of my head when thinking about the victim, they don’t deserve the attention.

          I guess I’m a little triggered by this specific theme, thx for the feedback.

          • LilB0kChoy@lemm.eeEnglish
            141·
            9 months ago

            It wasn’t trying to diminish the atrocity, sorry if it came out that way.

            You did not, not to me at least.

            I just keep the aggressor out of my head when thinking about the victim, they don’t deserve the attention.

            That’s a great way to approach it. I was only speculating on the original commenter’s intent because that’s how I think about it too. I’ve had trauma in my past and it’s shaped who I am today; I reflect on it often. When I see stories of trauma for others I always have the thought about how their trauma is now going to shape their life going forward.

            I guess I’m a little triggered by this specific theme

            With good cause for sure! Harm and trauma don’t take away your agency or humanity, that happens by how others react to you after.

      • Socsa@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
        37·
        9 months ago

        I’m more worried about the fact that she is very likely paralyzed to some degree and appears to have a hole in her head.

      • Daisyifyoudo@lemmy.worldEnglish
        32·
        9 months ago

        Did you actually read what you were responding to, or just have kneejerk reaction?

        You’re not wrong, but the person you are responding to didn’t say any of those things.

      • GBU_28@lemm.eeEnglish
        333·
        9 months ago

        Suggesting their life will never be the same is not equivalent to suggesting they are worthless. They didn’t say “life being over”

        Victims of rape will never be the same, as they will have a very traumatic event in their history. That event is of significance, not devaluation.

      • Obsession@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
        257·
        9 months ago

        You’re the only one interpreting it like that.

        Some trauma stays with you for life. No one’s calling her a “used up rag,” the reality is that she may continue to suffer from what happened for the rest of her life.

      • Squeak@lemmy.worldEnglish
        122·
        9 months ago

        What about ‘serious head injuries’? They can be pretty life changing and can end up in ‘life being over’ compared to normal…

        • Khalic@kbin.social
          59·
          9 months ago

          There are many possibilities like this you’re right, she might be brain dead, etc. I was using a broad definition of “alive”, having autonomic functions and a fair amount of cognitive and physical fitness.

        • ichbinjasokreativ@lemmy.worldEnglish
          4·
          9 months ago

          Stripped almost naked in a crowd of armed men from a subculture that considers women of different religions to be worthless isn’t good enough for you?

        • hassanmckusick@lemmy.discothe.questEnglish
          2849·
          9 months ago

          This was the girl everyone was saying was raped and murdered. No reputable news publication has confirmed that she was raped and she is now confirmed alive.

          So slow the fuck up.

          • Armok_the_bunny@lemmy.worldEnglish
            3510·
            9 months ago

            She’s not the only one that was there. There were other people there that were murdered and other people there that were raped. Just because one was spared from that fate doesn’t mean it didn’t happen to others.

            • hassanmckusick@lemmy.discothe.questEnglish
              2446·
              9 months ago

              Again no reputable news publication has reported rape. It’s is a very common racist dog whistle to accuse Muslims of rape so I’m asking you not to until you have confirmed evidence.

              It is very possible there were rapes committed but it’s disgusting to lie about it to justify stealing Palestinian land and killing Palestinian people.

              Edit: wild, 40 downvotes and NOT A SINGLE SOURCE.

  • Roboticide@lemmy.worldEnglish
    549·
    9 months ago

    I feel like if Hamas knows what’s good for them, they’ll return any foreign nationals they have ASAP.

    Beef with Israel is one thing, but “accidentally” kidnapping people from foreign countries you ostensibly want sympathy for is a bad move.

    • bdonvr@thelemmy.clubEnglish
      282·
      9 months ago

      The thing is Israel has a very high rate of dual-nationals. A significant percentage of Israeli settlers are second or even first generation. So they either had a previous citizenship or are eligible for their parent’s.

    • gmtom@lemmy.worldEnglish
      63·
      9 months ago

      Probably not a good idea. Israel has 0 problem bombing palestinians indiscriminately but they might think twice about killing their foreign hostages.

    • anarchotaoist@links.hackliberty.orgEnglish
      636·
      9 months ago

      Here’s the thing; If Hama’s - an Israeli construction - does not kill foreigners, than how will the powers behind them be able to drag the rest of the world into the conflict? The aim is wwIII. They need to involve all nations. After Israel cracks down on Palestine this will draw in Iran and the Arab nations. The conflict will erupt in other countries.

  • Kalash@feddit.chEnglish
    451·
    9 months ago

    German news website Blick

    It’s a Swiss news website … blick.ch

    edit: they fixed it

    Swiss German-language news website Blick

    • madejackson@lemmy.worldEnglish
      42·
      9 months ago

      Swiss here, Blick is known for low quality news. This “news” is only a claim from some unknown party. Very likely inaccurate or even plain wrong.

    • cesium@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
      134·
      9 months ago

      My guess is that she “dies” in the hospital in a few days. Horrible situation.

          • SCB@lemmy.worldEnglish
            166·
            9 months ago

            He’s just trying to find ways to blame her death on Israel.

          • hassanmckusick@lemmy.discothe.questEnglish
            55·
            9 months ago

            No I was genuinely asking because the person I was responding to put the quotes around the wrong part of the sentence.

            It should have been

            my guess is that she dies “in the hospital”

            Where they actually put quotes implies that they don’t think she’s gonna die at all

            • gohixo9650English
              11·
              9 months ago

              Where they actually put quotes implies that they don’t think she’s gonna die at all

              if she is already dead, then yes, she cannot die (again) at the hospital. I understand what you mean and tbh I’m not sure if there is one correct way to express it. For me at least it was very much understandable how it was originally written.

              The way I understand it, by quoting the “in the hospital” you imply that the place may be elsewhere but still be in the future, since you don’t put focus on the action itself (death) which (according to the author) is something that has already happened. By quoting the “dies” you acknowledge that she is in the hospital and you are not questioning the place. You just focus on the tense “dies”, since she is already dead.

              • hassanmckusick@lemmy.discothe.questEnglish
                12·
                9 months ago

                tbh I’m not sure if there is one correct way to express it.

                Agreed. I still think the first example is confusing but no one want’s to hear us argue semantics. I appreciate the person I asked for coming back to clarify.

    • fluxion@lemmy.worldEnglish
      117·
      9 months ago

      Beaten, bleeding, and unconscious looks pretty similar to being dead tbh

        • fluxion@lemmy.worldEnglish
          64·
          9 months ago

          No, and I’ll have to take your word on it. But her mom saw it too and still seems to have hope.

          • ThǝLobotoʍi$T@lemmy.worldEnglish
            10·
            9 months ago

            Hope is the last to die especially for a mother but she had both of her legs broken (or her knees were dislocated) and she was lying motionless face down. She was also very emaciated.

            I could obviously be wrong, so let’s hope for the best!

          • gohixo9650English
            9·
            9 months ago

            its her mother. Of course she still has hope. The parents keep hoping for their children are alive until the day they see them being buried in the ground. There are parents that are still hoping after 40 years of their child being missing if there is no body found.

            However her mother has neither talked with her or even seen her in a video that for example is alive in an ICU if she can’t talk.

  • bdonvr@thelemmy.clubEnglish
    2112·
    9 months ago

    in a hospital in Gaza

    Somebody get her somewhere safe before Israel destroys that hospital

    • khalic@lemmy.worldEnglish
      618·
      9 months ago

      Oh no, the valuable hostages go to the safe hospital that isn’t used as ammo depot or as missile launching site…

  • zephyreks@lemmy.mlEnglish
    53·
    9 months ago

    CNN was showing video coverage of the event where armed men (festival security? IDF?) were leading festivalgoers away at the start of the Hamas attack. There also appeared to be an armoured vehicle in the background.

    I can’t find the long form of the video that was shown, but the short form does show a vehicle with the Merkava’s characteristic chain and ball design on the turret in the background. It’s on CNN’s YouTube page and I’ll send it to people by request, but it’s rather graphic so I’d rather not link it.

    • Jmdatcs@lemmy.worldEnglish
      331·
      9 months ago

      Am I missing something, or is it not possible to criticize the media’s obsession with attractive white girls without calling a person in a hospital after being beaten and probably gang raped stupid for no reason? You fucking piece of shit. See how I had a reason there?

    • BreakDecks@lemmy.mlEnglish
      232·
      9 months ago

      Because she’s one of the few foreign nationals identified as a victim. Because what we have seen of how she was brutalized is being used as an example of what Hamas is doing to their victims. Because she’s a human being whose rights are being violated to an extreme degree.

      All you know about her is related to the crimes against her, and you’re already willing to publicly insult her? What the fuck did she do wrong?

    • Saganastic@kbin.social
      9·
      9 months ago

      Things that are out of the ordinary make it into the headlines. This is a German citizen captured by Hamas during their invasion of Israel. Very out of the ordinary. No need to bring race into it.

    • circuscritic@lemmy.caEnglish
      2·
      9 months ago

      You’re missing a lot more than something. My guess is that it’s a pretty long list which includes, but not limited to: compassion, integrity, and a lot less functioning brain cells then even the average idiot.

  • TokenBoomer@lemmy.worldEnglish
    1079·
    9 months ago

    Wait. So everyone saying she was raped and paraded around naked and dead were lying? I can’t believe Liberal media anymore.