Brave Schoolgirl and Shih Tzu Survive 53 Days in Hamas Captivity

In a shocking tale of resilience, 17-year-old Mia Leimberg, held captive by Hamas alongside her Shih Tzu Bella, revealed the challenging conditions they endured during their 53-day ordeal. Mia clutched Bella to her chest as she was taken hostage, with gunmen initially mistaking the dog for a cuddly toy.

The ordeal began when the kidnappers broke into the family’s safe room, placing Mia and Bella in a pick-up truck. Mia, determined to keep Bella by her side, bravely faced off with the terrorists when they threatened the dog’s life upon reaching Gaza.

Mia’s cousin, Geffen Marman, disclosed that the terrorists initially thought Bella was a toy, given her small size. It wasn’t until they reached Gaza that the dog’s movement revealed her true nature, sparking a heated debate among the captors. Mia stood her ground, and eventually, they allowed her to keep Bella.

Throughout their captivity, Mia, her mother Gabriela, and aunt Clara Merman endured horrifying conditions in an undisclosed location, constantly hearing the unsettling sounds of falling bombs. The family was given meager rations, mainly consisting of rice and pitta bread. Astonishingly, everything they received was shared with Bella, providing them with a source of comfort during the traumatic experience.

Despite the fact that Islamist extremists view dogs as “impure,” Bella not only survived but became a source of solace for the hostages. Initially frightened during the Hamas raid on the Nir Yitzhak kibbutz, Bella’s presence remained hidden until the hostages were released after a seven-day truce.

The family, too shocked to share their full experience, expressed relief at their reunion. However, they are anxiously awaiting the safe release of Clara’s partner Luis Har, 70, and her brother Fernando Merman, 60, still in captivity.

This remarkable story of courage and companionship serves as a testament to the unbreakable bond between Mia and Bella, defying the odds in the face of adversity.

Re-reported from the article originally published in The Mirror News