On October 7, 2023, 19-year-old Karina Ariev was kidnapped by Hamas from an army base near the Gaza border. Moments before her abduction, she sent a final text message to her older sister Sasha, urging her to remain strong and take care of their parents. A video released this week shows Karina in her Snoopy pajamas, being threatened and visibly distressed.

Karina’s sister Sasha, who paused her studies to focus on her sister’s situation, shared that Karina was aware of the potential gravity of the situation. Alongside footage of other young captives, the family hopes to bring global attention to the plight of these hostages. Despite some successful negotiations for releasing captives, many Israelis, including Karina, remain held.

In a separate incident, a claim by Hamas alleging the capture of Israeli soldiers in northern Gaza was denied by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF). Hamas released a video purportedly showing a wounded man dragged through a tunnel and military equipment, but the IDF refuted any abduction incident.

Efforts for a mediated ceasefire in Gaza are ongoing, with resumed talks expected, involving Egypt, Qatar, and the U.S. The conflict, which began after Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, has resulted in extensive casualties and kidnappings.