Hamas releases first hostage video of woman taken from Israeli music festival

Earlier, the young woman’s mother, Karen Shem told Israel’s Ynet news outlet, that Mia, the eldest of three of her children, was among 250 people believed to have been seized by Hamas.

She had been taken after Hamas attacked the Supernova Music Festival in the Negev desert, killing hundreds of people.

“I am begging you – give me back my baby girl,” Ms Shem said. “Take me, do whatever you want. Just bring the girl home.”

On Monday, the Israel Defence Forces denounced the video.

“Last week, Mia was abducted by Hamas. IDF officials have since informed Mia’s family and are in continuous contact with them,” they wrote on social media.

“In the video published by Hamas, they try to portray themselves as humane. However, they are a horrific terrorist organisation responsible for the murder and abduction of babies, children, men, women and the elderly.”