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.

if you go

The flights

Etihad, Emirates and Singapore Airlines fly direct from the UAE to Singapore from Dh2,265 return including taxes. The flight takes about 7 hours.

The hotel

Rooms at the M Social Singapore cost from SG $179 (Dh488) per night including taxes.

The tour

Makan Makan Walking group tours costs from SG $90 (Dh245) per person for about three hours. Tailor-made tours can be arranged. For details go to www.woknstroll.com.sg

The biog

Place of birth: Kalba

Family: Mother of eight children and has 10 grandchildren

Favourite traditional dish: Al Harees, a slow cooked porridge-like dish made from boiled cracked or coarsely ground wheat mixed with meat or chicken

Favourite book: My early life by Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, the Ruler of Sharjah

Favourite quote: By Sheikh Zayed, the UAE's Founding Father, “Those who have no past will have no present or future.”

The story in numbers

18

This is how many recognised sects Lebanon is home to, along with about four million citizens

450,000

More than this many Palestinian refugees are registered with UNRWA in Lebanon, with about 45 per cent of them living in the country’s 12 refugee camps

1.5 million

There are just under 1 million Syrian refugees registered with the UN, although the government puts the figure upwards of 1.5m

73

The percentage of stateless people in Lebanon, who are not of Palestinian origin, born to a Lebanese mother, according to a 2012-2013 study by human rights organisation Frontiers Ruwad Association

18,000

The number of marriages recorded between Lebanese women and foreigners between the years 1995 and 2008, according to a 2009 study backed by the UN Development Programme

77,400

The number of people believed to be affected by the current nationality law, according to the 2009 UN study

4,926

This is how many Lebanese-Palestinian households there were in Lebanon in 2016, according to a census by the Lebanese-Palestinian dialogue committee

What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

Haircare resolutions 2021

From Beirut and Amman to London and now Dubai, hairstylist George Massoud has seen the same mistakes made by customers all over the world. In the chair or at-home hair care, here are the resolutions he wishes his customers would make for the year ahead.

1. 'I will seek consultation from professionals'

You may know what you want, but are you sure it’s going to suit you? Haircare professionals can tell you what will work best with your skin tone, hair texture and lifestyle.

2. 'I will tell my hairdresser when I’m not happy'

Massoud says it’s better to offer constructive criticism to work on in the future. Your hairdresser will learn, and you may discover how to communicate exactly what you want more effectively the next time.

3. ‘I will treat my hair better out of the chair’

Damage control is a big part of most hairstylists’ work right now, but it can be avoided. Steer clear of over-colouring at home, try and pursue one hair brand at a time and never, ever use a straightener on still drying hair, pleads Massoud.

Company profile

Name: Fruitful Day

Founders: Marie-Christine Luijckx, Lyla Dalal AlRawi, Lindsey Fournie

Based: Dubai, UAE

Founded: 2015

Number of employees: 30

Sector: F&B

Funding so far: Dh3 million

Future funding plans: None at present

Future markets: Saudi Arabia, potentially Kuwait and other GCC countries

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Gulf Under 19s final

Dubai College A 50-12 Dubai College B

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War and the virus
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
Updated: October 31, 2023, 5:59 AM`