Father of Shani Luk Recalls Identifying Daughter’s Body Through Tattoos After Gaza Attack

Shani Luk’s father recounted the harrowing days following her disappearance during the conflict in Gaza. On the morning after rocket attacks on Tel Aviv, he received a photo from one of Shani’s friends asking if the person depicted was her. He recognized the small tattoos on her leg and confirmed it was Shani, whose vehicle had entered Gaza and then vanished.

He described how two ZAKA volunteers, who happened to be praying nearby, stopped by the roadside and found hair and blood samples. Their quick action led to DNA testing that confirmed Shani’s identity. Her body was recovered by Israeli Defense Forces and Shin Bet on May 17, 2024, months after her family had been informed she was missing.

Luk shared the emotional toll of losing Shani, especially during family gatherings like Friday night Kiddush, where her empty chair is deeply felt. He connected this personal grief to the thousands of Israeli families mourning loved ones lost since October 7, 2023. Luk also reflected on the ongoing pain each time news of fallen soldiers emerges, imagining the sorrow of other families facing empty seats at their tables.

The widely circulated photo of Shani sparked significant controversy and criticism from her family and Israeli officials. A petition to revoke the award given to the image gained broad support, and Shani’s grandmother, Nicole Luk, publicly protested the recognition of the photo featuring her granddaughter.