Shani Louk Beheaded by Hamas, Israel Says

Shani Louk, a 22-year-old German national believed to be among Hamas' hostages, was beheaded by the militants after being taken to Gaza, according to Israel's President Isaac Herzog.

For about three weeks since Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel on October 7, the fate of the young tattoo artist had been unknown. However, she was believed to be among the many kidnapped by the militants at the Tribe of Nova music festival in the plains of the Negev Desert near Urim.

Her family had recognized her in a video circulating on social media showing a half-naked, unconscious woman being paraded by Hamas fighters in the back of a pick-up truck. The woman's face wasn't visible, but Louk's family said they identified her by her leg tattoos.

Now, Louk's family said that they were informed by Israeli authorities of the 22-year-old's death. While the family didn't specify how or when Louk died, Herzog said the woman was beheaded after the October 7 attack. Newsweek could not verify the legitimacy of the claim.

"I am truly sorry to report that we have now received news that Shani Nicole Louk has been confirmed murdered and dead. Her skull was found," Herzog told the German daily newspaper Bild.

"This means that these barbaric, sadistic animals simply chopped off her head as they attacked, tortured and killed Israelis. It is a great tragedy and I extend my deepest condolences to her family," he continued.

"What we saw on the Gaza-Israel border goes far beyond a pogrom. We saw a slaughterhouse. We saw the blood flowing in the streets. We have seen the most horrific tragedies imaginable," he added.

The Times of Israel reported that members of Louk's family told Hebrew media that they were informed of Shani's death in a letter from the country's ZAKA rescue service. ZAKA told them that they found a bone normally found at the base of the skull without which a person cannot survive, and identified as belonging to Shani Louk, the outlet reported. Newsweek could not verify the authenticity of this information.

Her family has not spoken of the way Louk was found, but confirmed her death. Her sister, Adi Louk, wrote on Instagram: "It is with great sadness that we announce the death of my sister, Shani Nicole Z.L. [may her memory be a blessing], who was on October 7, 2023, at the party massacre in Re'im."

Her mother, Ricarda Louk, told RTL on Monday: "Unfortunately, we got the news yesterday that my daughter is no longer alive."

"We are devastated to share that the death of 23 year old German-Israeli Shani Luk was confirmed," wrote the Israeli Foreign Ministry on X, formerly known as Twitter.

"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 be a blessing."

The German Foreign Ministry has not yet confirmed her death.

Update, 10/30/23, 11:30 a.m. ET: This breaking news article was updated with additional information.

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