Israel-Hamas war: Mother of woman seen in hostage video pleads for help, saying: 'she looks terrified'
The mother of a young woman who was kidnapped by Hamas and seen in a hostage video released by the group has appealed for help, saying: "Bring my baby back home".
Mia Shem was abducted by militants on 7 October while attending the Nova Music Festival in Israel.
A video of the 21-year-old was released by Hamas on Monday, and appears to show her receiving medical treatment for an injury to her upper right arm.
Follow live: Iran warns Israel it faces 'pre-emptive action in coming hours'
In the footage, Mia said: "Everything is alright. All I want is to go home as soon as possible."
Speaking during a news conference in Tel Aviv, her mother Keren Sharf Shem told reporters: "I didn't know if she's dead or alive until yesterday, all I knew is she might be kidnapped.
"Yesterday I saw my baby on television. I saw she's alive... I can see she was shot in the shoulder."
Ms Shem said her daughter "looks like she is terrified" in the footage, adding: "She looks like she is in big pain."
It was not clear when the video was filmed.
Holding up a photo of her daughter and fighting back tears, she added: "I'm begging the world to bring my baby back home.
"She only went to a party, a festival party to have some fun. And now she's in Gaza.
"This is a crime against humanity and we should all gather and stop this terror and bring everyone back home."
Read more from Sky News:
All hospitals in Gaza to 'run out of fuel within 24 hours'
A century of war, heartbreak and hope for peace
When asked by Sky News if there was anything she wanted to say to her daughter, Ms Shem said: "My message to my daughter is I love her so much and I miss her so much.
"And all these days I've just thought how I [will be] hugging her when she's coming home and that's what's kept me strong and focused."
She added: "Maybe that's why she's okay, I want to tell all the other parents, think positive."
Mia's brother also appeared at the press conference, saying he wanted to say "one thing and one thing only - we want Mia and all the other hostages to be brought back home".
In the short video released by Hamas, Mia also said her arm had been "critically injured" and said she had undergone surgery lasting three hours.
The French-Israeli added: "They took care of me, treated me and gave me medicine."
But Ms Shem expressed doubts about her statement. She told reporters: "I can see she's saying what they tell her to say".
Hamas spokesman Dr Basem Naim said in a pre-recorded press conference last week that its fighters had only targeted military bases and combatants as an act of self-defence against Israel's occupation, and said civilians had been caught up in the "chaos".
He added: "For the captives and prisoners held by the resistance, we confirm here, and make it clear, we are fully committed to treat them in accordance with our religious values and the rules of international humanitarian law.
"But, at the same time we are really worried that, as the Israeli aggression is everywhere in Gaza, they might be victims to the Israeli army bombardment like our people."
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on X, formerly Twitter, on Monday night: "In the video published by Hamas, they try to portray themselves as humane.
"However, they are an horrific terrorist organization responsible for the murder and abduction of babies, children, men, women and the elderly.
"At this time, we are deploying all intelligence and operational measures for the return of all hostages - including Mia."
The IDF said on Monday at least 199 hostages had been taken into Gaza, while Hamas has said the number is around 200 to 250.
