'For now all we have is hope', says Laois aunt of woman missing after attack in Israel

An aunt of an Irish Israeli woman missing following a raid by Hamas in Israel has spoken of her devastation. 

22-year-old Kim Damti remains missing, having last spoken to her mother on the phone as Hamas gunmen who crossed the border from Gaza, attacked a music festival she was attending in Israel at the weekend. 

Her aunt Pat Cooper, who is from Coolrain, issued a statement about her niece and the family’s devastation.  

“Kim Damti is our gorgeous, beautiful niece – a bright intelligent young woman with a big heart full of kindness and compassion.  Her mother is Jennifer Cooper - our wonderful and dearly loved sister.

Kim’s most recent visit to Ireland was just this summer when she and her mother joined the family to celebrate the wedding of her cousin Alan.

The whole Cooper clan, their neighbours and friends are devastated and for now all we have is hope.

Our hearts and minds are in Israel with Jennifer’s family and Kim’s friends.

We have nothing further to add," she stated. 

The surprise attack was launched by Hamas at daybreak on Saturday, with thousands of rockets fired into Israel and militants breaking down wire fences surrounding the Gaza enclave and entering Israeli villages. They attacked the festival where it is reported that 260 people were killed. 

In an interview with ABC News, Kim’s mother Jennifer Damti who is from Laois, said her daughter had phoned them shortly after.

“Kim didn’t realise there was like seven or eight Toyota vans full of terrorists and they just shot everywhere,” she said.

“They just shot them, slaughtered them like ducks, and that’s the reason I’m here, ’cause I want the world to condemn this behaviour.

“I didn’t bring my children up to hate anybody.

“You can’t sleep. All I can think about is where she is, if she’s suffering, if she’s still alive. I just want her back,” she said.

“So many other mothers here today. I’m not the only one. Everybody is missing somebody.”

In a very emotional video,  she told an interviewer that her husband and son are visiting hospitals with a hairbrush containing Kim's hair  which has her DNA as they attempt to find her.  

Kim is one of five siblings, all of whom were born in Israel. 

President Michael D Higgins joined described the attack on the music festival as deeply reprehensible.

"What the families of the civilians entrapped in these circumstances are going through must be of concern to us all. I join with the Irish Government in their concern for all of the civilians at risk in Israel and in Gaza and join in their call for a ceasing of the violence and the protection of the lives of innocent civilians," he said. 

"I send my deepest condolences to all of the families of the victims, and our thoughts at this time are, in particular, with the family of Kim Damti our fellow citizen,” said President Higgins. 

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said they were aware of the case, and consular officials were in touch with the family.

In response to a query from the Leinster Express, the Department of Foreign Affairs said: “The Department is aware of this case, we are in touch with the family directly and providing consular assistance. We don’t comment on the detail of individual cases.”

Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheal Martin said the savagery of the “indiscriminate” attacks by Hamas had shocked people.

“Hundreds and hundreds of innocent people (were) slaughtered in the most savage way,” he said.

Mr Varadkar said that the surprise attack is “probably the worst attack that Israel has had to endure for 40 years now”.

“The Government condemns it unreservedly, there can be no excuse for targeting women, children, taking children and women, civilians as hostage,” the Taoiseach said on Sunday.

“I don’t think anyone could do anything other than condemn that and we do condemn it unreservedly.

“I would also urge restraint though by the Israeli authorities – there will be retaliation for this, I’m sure, but for the first time, I think in a very long time, Israel is united and the free world is standing in solidarity with Israel.

Gardai issue update on teenager missing from Laois

“But that could change, I think, if the response from Israel is excessive and results in unnecessary civilian deaths in Gaza, so very much that is this part of our message, too.”