GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Shani Louk, a German-Israeli woman who was taken to the Gaza Strip during Hamas’s October 7 attack, has been confirmed dead, according to her family. Louk’s mother, Ricarda, received the devastating news, stating, “Unfortunately we received the news yesterday that my daughter is no longer alive.” Louk had attended a rave party near the Gaza border when terrorists opened fire and threw grenades, resulting in the deaths of approximately 260 people.

Louk’s family was informed of her death overnight. Initially, Ricarda Louk recognized her daughter from videos circulating online due to her noticeable tattoos and dyed hair. These videos, which quickly spread worldwide, depicted a partially clothed woman lying unconscious in the back of a truck filled with armed men in Gaza.

Members of Louk’s family received a letter from the Israeli ZAKA rescue service, confirming that a bone from the base of her skull, necessary for survival, had been genetically tested and determined to be hers. Despite her death being confirmed, Louk’s body remains in Gaza. Previous reports stating she was in critical condition at a hospital in Gaza have proven to be false.

Louk’s father, Nissim, expressed relief upon receiving the news, stating, “I’m happy. First, that this thing is over, that we know exactly what happened.” He described the anguish of not knowing his daughter’s whereabouts and finding solace in the knowledge that she had been dancing and enjoying herself just moments before the attack.

Ricarda, Shani’s mother, also expressed a sense of closure, acknowledging the sadness of not being able to bring her daughter home for burial but finding comfort in having clarity about what happened. The family is observing shiva, the Jewish mourning period, but a funeral cannot be held at this time due to only having some of Louk’s body parts.

Following the brutal attack on October 7, where Hamas terrorists killed and abducted numerous individuals, including Louk, German federal prosecutors announced an investigation into Hamas on suspicion of kidnapping and murdering German citizens.

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has resulted in numerous casualties, with Israel responding with intensive strikes on Gaza and a ground operation. Israel aims to eliminate the Hamas terror group, which holds control over Gaza.

In summary, Shani Louk, a German-Israeli woman taken to the Gaza Strip during the October 7 attack, has been confirmed dead. Her family received the heartbreaking news and described a mix of sadness and relief. Louk’s body remains in Gaza while her family observes the mourning period. The conflict between Israel and Hamas continues, with investigations into kidnapping and murder allegations being conducted.