Disabled girl fed by tube among Israelis held hostage by Hamas terrorists
Moments before Hamas opened fire, Rut Perez was enjoying the music festival with her family, her distraught sister said
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A teenager is pleading for her disabled sister to be brought to safety after she was taken hostage by Hamas.
Rut Perez has muscular dystrophy, cannot walk or talk and has to be fed through a tube.
The 17-year-old was attending the Supernova music festival in Israel with her father Eric and sister Yamit last weekend when militants carried out their deadly attacks.
Yamit, 19, says her younger sibling was having the time of her life as she enjoyed the music before she was taken.
While Yamit left with her friends before the shooting started, her father stayed with Rut ā also known as Ruth ā and now both are missing.
Since saying goodbye to her family, Yamit has not heard from them and has taken to social media to plead with anyone who might have seen her loved ones.
āMy dear father if you see this wherever you are I just hope youāre not suffering,ā she wrote. āYou promised me to come home with Ruth...Iām beginning to regret that I didnāt stay with you there and protected you like only I know how.ā
It is believed the hostages have been taken back to Gaza, but Hamas has warned it will execute them if Israel attacks the enclave.
More than 1,200 Israelis died in the Hamas assault, with more than 2,200 Palestinians killed in retaliatory strikes since then.
Speaking to The Times about the last time she saw Rut, Yamit said: āIt was the happiest Iāve ever seen her, dancing in her wheelchair. She was so happy.
āI am begging Hamas to let my dad take care of her, heās the only one who knows what she needs.ā
A week has passed since Yamit last saw her family and she continues in desperation to find answers through social media.
She posted: āI believe in God and God is with me always...And he keeps my dad and sister alive so help me find them.ā
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments