Harrowing vid resurfaces of Israeli gymnast & Olympics hopeful being chased by Hamas terrorist before she’s shot dead
HORRIFIC video has resurfaced of a talented Israeli athlete and Olympics hopeful being murdered by a Hamas terrorist.
Gymnast Karina Pritika, 23, was shot dead at point-blank range during the October 7 massacre in Israel last year as she pleaded for her life.
The young woman, who was at the Nova music festival, was described as a “very talented artistic gymnast” who represented Israel in competitions around the world.
Karina’s loved ones paid tribute to her last year, remembering her as “always smiling, laughing, optimistic.”
As the 2024 Olympics continue in Paris this week, Jewish author Dahlia Kurtz wrote on X: “Israeli rhythmic gymnast Karina Pritika could have competed at the Paris Olympics now.
“Instead, after pleading for her life — on her knees — she was executed for being a Jew. This after watching her best friend’s murder.
“This will punch you in your heart.”
Friend and fellow gymnast Nicole Szymanski described Karina as “a girl who spread light everywhere”.
Both Karina and her best friend Maya Haim were killed near Kibbutz Re’im as Hamas terrorists killed hundreds at the Nova festival. the Times of Israel reports.
Dahlia shared footage of the moment Karina and Maya were shot by a Hamas brute online.
Dressed in black, the terrorist could be seen chasing the women as they desperately ran from the festival massacre.
Brandishing a rifle, he eventually catches up to them and shoots Maya – wearing dark blue – dead.
Then he turns the gun on Karina, as she kneels on the ground in front of him.
Karina appears to clasp her hands in front of her, likely pleading for her life, before he fires the gun.
The Sun has chosen not to publish the full version of the sickening footage, first shared on the Israeli Telegram channel South First Responders last November.
Karina and Maya were working together in a Tel Aviv restaurant and saving up to travel South America together before they were murdered.
The women had tickets to leave booked for just a few weeks after the festival slaughter.
Hamas terrorists murdered some 1,200 people in Israel on October 7, and kidnapped 250 more.
Since then the Gaza Strip has been ravaged by war between the terror group and the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF).
According to the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza, at least 35,000 Palestinians have been killed since October last year.
This week Israel announced it had taken out Hamas military chief, Mohammed Deif, in an airstrike on southern Gaza city Khan Younis.
The strike was reported on in July, but Israeli forces only confirmed its success in eliminating terror boss Deif on Thursday.
Only days before, another Israeli hit took out Hamas political kingpin, Ismail Haniyeh, in Iran.
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to wipe out all of Hamas after the October massacre last year.
For the last 10 months three of the Israeli army’s top targets have been Haniyeh, Deif and Yahya Sinwar – Hamas’ Gaza chief.
Sinwar remains one of the last men standing at the top of the terror clan, and will be Israel’s highest priority target in the coming weeks.