Shani Louk, 23-year-old kidnapped by Hamas from music festival, declared dead, Israel says
Shani Louk, a 23-year-old Israeli woman, was officially declared dead by the Israeli government after she was kidnapped in August of 2019 during a music festival in the West Bank, reportedly by Hamas militants. According to reports, Louk was kidnapped during a performance of an Israeli musician, and a ransom was allegedly demanded in exchange for her release. The Israeli security forces investigated the case but were never able to locate or rescue Louk, leading them to declare her dead. This is the first time the Israeli government has officially declared an Israeli citizen dead due to a kidnaping by militant groups. Louk’s family held a funeral ceremony in her memory, and mourners lit dozens of candles in her memory.