Mia Leimberg

Freed November 28, 2023

Mia Leimberg, a 17-year-old Israeli, was released from nearly two months of captivity in Gaza, along with her Shih Tzu, Bella. The story of Mia and Bella's ordeal begins when Mia and her mother Gabriela were visiting family in Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak and were taken hostage by Hamas during an attack on October 7. The release of Mia, her family members, and Bella came as part of a prisoner exchange, although her uncle and her aunt's partner remain detained.

Mia put Bella underneath her pajamas when Hamas initially abducted her, and she managed to keep Bella quiet and unnoticeable, hiding her under her clothing during transfers, feeding her scraps and ensuring her cleanliness to avoid discomfort and detection.

Mia has said having Bella helped her during this ordeal. "She was a huge help to me. She kept me busy. She was moral support."