Israeli-German hostage Shani Louk may have been killed on the same day as the Hamas attack, her family say. Photo: @shanukkk/ Instagram
Israeli-German hostage Shani Louk may have been killed on the same day as the Hamas attack, her family say. Photo: @shanukkk/ Instagram
Israeli-German hostage Shani Louk may have been killed on the same day as the Hamas attack, her family say. Photo: @shanukkk/ Instagram
Israeli-German hostage Shani Louk may have been killed on the same day as the Hamas attack, her family say. Photo: @shanukkk/ Instagram

Shani Louk: Family of missing Israeli-German woman say she has died


Neil Murphy
  • English
  • Arabic

Live updates: Follow the latest news on Israel-Gaza

Shani Louk, a 22-year-old Israeli-German woman, has died after being taken hostage by Hamas militants on October 7.

The family were informed of her death by the Israeli military.

“It is with great sadness that we announce the death of my sister,” her sibling Adi Louk said on social media.

Ms Louk's mother, Ricarda Louk, told NTV: “Unfortunately, we received the news yesterday that my daughter is no longer alive.”

She said her daughter’s body had not yet been found, but some remains were submitted for a DNA test.

The family previously expressed their hope that she was alive, but now believe she was killed on the same day as the attack, NTV reported.

“At least she didn't suffer,” her mother said.

Ms Louk’s father, Nissim Louk, said she and her friends tried to escape the attack in their car but 10 minutes later, they were met by armed Hamas militants who shot at the vehicle, killing his daughter “instantly”.

Her death was confirmed by Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a post on X.

It said she was “paraded around Gaza” by Hamas. “Our hearts are broken,” the ministry said.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, whose government has staunchly supported Israel as it mounted an offensive against Gaza in retaliation, said Hamas had to be held accountable.

“For me, this news is terrible,” Mr Scholz said during an official visit to Nigeria. “This shows all the barbarism that lies behind Hamas.”

Ms Louk had been attending the Supernova music festival near Kibbutz Re'im, in southern Israel, when she was kidnapped.

Images seen in the aftermath of the attack showed her lying in the back of a pick-up truck as it was being driven back to Gaza.

The student from Berlin was on holiday in Israel when she attended the event close to the border with Gaza.

Authorities believe more than 220 people were taken hostage by Hamas, with at least four having been released following negotiations.

The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
It’ll be summer in the city as car show tries to move with the times

If 2008 was the year that rocked Detroit, 2019 will be when Motor City gives its annual car extravaganza a revamp that aims to move with the times.

A major change is that this week's North American International Auto Show will be the last to be held in January, after which the event will switch to June.

The new date, organisers said, will allow exhibitors to move vehicles and activities outside the Cobo Center's halls and into other city venues, unencumbered by cold January weather, exemplified this week by snow and ice.

In a market in which trends can easily be outpaced beyond one event, the need to do so was probably exacerbated by the decision of Germany's big three carmakers – BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi – to skip the auto show this year.

The show has long allowed car enthusiasts to sit behind the wheel of the latest models at the start of the calendar year but a more fluid car market in an online world has made sales less seasonal.

Similarly, everyday technology seems to be catching up on those whose job it is to get behind microphones and try and tempt the visiting public into making a purchase.

Although sparkly announcers clasp iPads and outline the technical gadgetry hidden beneath bonnets, people's obsession with their own smartphones often appeared to offer a more tempting distraction.

“It's maddening,” said one such worker at Nissan's stand.

The absence of some pizzazz, as well as top marques, was also noted by patrons.

“It looks like there are a few less cars this year,” one annual attendee said of this year's exhibitors.

“I can't help but think it's easier to stay at home than to brave the snow and come here.”

Updated: October 31, 2023, 5:59 AM