Subscribe Login
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup 2022
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obituaries
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup 2022
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obituaries
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
  • Home
  • News
    • International News
  • Latest
  • Business
  • Cartoon
  • Games
  • Food Awards
  • Health
  • Entertainment
    • Bookends
  • Regional
  • Sports
    • Sports
    • World Cup
    • World Champs
    • Olympics
  • All Woman
  • Career & Education
  • Environment
  • Webinars
  • More
    • Football
    • Elections
    • Letters
    • Advertorial
    • Columns
    • Editorial
    • Supplements
  • Epaper
  • Classifieds
  • Design Week
Mother of Israeli woman in Hamas hostage video appeals for her release
Keren, mother of Mia Schem and representatives of the families of the abducted and missing persons held by Hamas militants in Gaza hold a press conference following the release of a video by Hamas, in which the 21-year-old Israeli woman is seen. Schem was among the roughly 200 people kidnapped in Hamas' cross-border attack on October 7 in Tel Aviv, Israel, Tuesday, October 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Latest News
October 17, 2023

Mother of Israeli woman in Hamas hostage video appeals for her release

JERUSALEM (AP) — The mother of a young Israeli woman held by Hamas appealed for her release on Tuesday, calling the seizure of some 200 hostages by the Palestinian militant group “a crime against humanity.”

A day earlier, Hamas’ military wing released a video showing a dazed Mia Schem, 21, having her arm wrapped with bandages. It was the first sign of life from any of the hostages since Gaza-based gunmen smashed through border fortifications on October 7, killing more than 1,400 people in Israel.

“I didn’t know if she’s dead or alive until yesterday,” her mother, Keren Schem, said at a news conference. “All I knew is that she might be kidnapped. I’m begging the world to bring my baby back home. She only went to a party, to a festival party to have some fun. Now she’s in Gaza.”

Mia Schem was seized at a desert rave just over the border from Gaza that became the site of what is believed to be the worst civilian massacre in Israeli history. At least 260 people were gunned down as heavily armed militants in trucks and on motorcycles barreled through the vast field on Kibbutz Re’im where thousands had gathered for a carefree night of electronic music.

Civilians and soldiers, young and old, Israelis and non-Israelis were among at least 199 people taken into captivity from Re’im and other areas in southern Israel.

“This is a crime against humanity and we should all gather and stop this terror and bring everybody back home,” Keren Schem said. The United States (US) on Tuesday called on Hamas to immediately release all hostages, which include American citizens. “There should be no reason for them to have any hostages in the first place. And number two, we’re working very, very hard with our partners in the region to secure the release of all the hostages,” US National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said on NBC’s “Today” show. “We know there’s a small number of Americans, but all of them need to come home and be with their families, and we’re working on that very, very hard.” The plight of the hostages has dominated Israel’s media since the attack. The seizure of so many civilian hostages is unprecedented in Israel’s history, and interviews with relatives are broadcast throughout the day.

The Israeli military said Schem’s family was told of her abduction last week, and officials dismissed the video as propaganda designed to make Hamas look humane. Israeli officials have vowed to maintain a siege on Gaza until the hostages are released.

Mia Schem has dual nationality with France, and on Tuesday, French President Emmanuel Macron decried the hostage-taking.

“To have taken hostages, both civilian and military, of all nationalities and to use blackmail at this time is absolutely odious and unacceptable,” Macron said at a news conference in Albania.

France, he added, was working with Israeli authorities and with Hamas through third parties to win the release of French and other hostages.

{"website":"website"}{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
img img
0 Comments · Make a comment

ALSO ON JAMAICA OBSERVER

WATCH: Christmas parties for government entities cancelled—Morris Dixon
Latest News, News
WATCH: Christmas parties for government entities cancelled—Morris Dixon
December 10, 2025
KINGSTON, Jamaica—Minister for Education, Skills, Youth and Information Senator Dana Morris Dixon says Christmas parties for government entities have ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Bail extended for tenant accused of housebreaking and larceny
Latest News, News
Bail extended for tenant accused of housebreaking and larceny
December 10, 2025
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Bail was on Tuesday extended for a primary tenant who is charged with housebreaking and larceny in relation to a dispute involving...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
WATCH: The Pinnacle reaches 28 storeys on first tower
Latest News, News
WATCH: The Pinnacle reaches 28 storeys on first tower
December 10, 2025
ST JAMES, Jamaica — The project for Jamaica's tallest residential property, The Pinnacle, has achieved a significant milestone as it has now hit the s...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
‘Teacher’ and ‘student’ clash in Manning Cup quarterfinal
Latest News, Sports
‘Teacher’ and ‘student’ clash in Manning Cup quarterfinal
December 10, 2025
Every so often, the script is written for the student who grasped as much from the teacher to, at some point, defeat the mentor and conquer the world....
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Vaz defends JPS loan, accuses Opposition of shedding ‘crocodile tears’
Latest News, News
Vaz defends JPS loan, accuses Opposition of shedding ‘crocodile tears’
December 10, 2025
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Energy Minister Daryl Vaz has defended the Government’s decision to offer a loan to the Jamaica Public Service (JPS), following cr...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
‘Jamaica a source for employer-ready labour’ Charles Jr tells US agriculture bosses
Latest News, News
‘Jamaica a source for employer-ready labour’ Charles Jr tells US agriculture bosses
December 10, 2025
KINGSTON, Jamaica— Minister of Labour and Social Security Pearnel Charles Jr has moved to assure agricultural employers in the United States that Jama...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Man ordered to pay $4,000 art evaluation fee
Latest News, News
Man ordered to pay $4,000 art evaluation fee
December 10, 2025
KINGSTON, Jamaica — A man was ordered to compensate an art evaluator over an outstanding $4,000 evaluation fee when he appeared before the Kingston an...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Small plane crash-lands on top of car in Florida
International News, Latest News
Small plane crash-lands on top of car in Florida
December 10, 2025
A small plane reportedly crash-landed onto a car in Florida on Monday, according to a report by Fox News. According to the report, the fixed-wing Beec...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
❮ ❯

Polls

HOUSE RULES

  1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper; email addresses will not be published.
  2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.
  3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.
  4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.
  5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.
  6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.
  7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

Recent Posts

Archives

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Tweets

Polls

Recent Posts

Archives

Logo Jamaica Observer
Breaking news from the premier Jamaican newspaper, the Jamaica Observer. Follow Jamaican news online for free and stay informed on what's happening in the Caribbean
Featured Tags
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Health
  • Auto
  • Business
  • Letters
  • Page2
  • Football
Categories
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
Ads
img
Jamaica Observer, © All Rights Reserved
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • RSS Feeds
  • Feedback
  • Privacy Policy
  • Editorial Code of Conduct