Mia Schem, 24, a former hostage held by Hamas for 55 days, has spoken out about the profound physical and psychological scars left by her captivity, detailing acts of brutality and expressing dismay at the global reaction to the October 7 attacks.
Schem was abducted from the Nova music festival on October 7, 2023, and recounts being shot at close range, an injury that left her arm permanently damaged and shorter than the other. She described losing a significant amount of blood, estimated at five liters, and being subjected to an operation without anesthetic in Gaza. "It’s a miracle that I’m alive," Schem stated in an interview with the Daily Mail, "And they gave me nothing."
She was held captive for 55 days before being released on November 30, 2023. During her captivity, Schem says she was subjected to cruel treatment, including being locked in a cage in a tunnel approximately 60 meters underground. She also described witnessing what she perceived as a culture of hate and glorification of death among her captors and their families, including children.
"Everyone—even the children. I saw it with my own eyes. They teach their children from the very beginning to hate, to become terrorists and to glorify death," she said. Schem also noted the jealousy and cruelty she experienced from the wife of one of her captors, who would limit her food and water.
Schem was featured in an early Hamas propaganda video, released on October 16, 2023, footage that was widely condemned. She recalled being forced into a car with seven Hamas terrorists and dragged by her hair across the border into Gaza.
Her experience has led her to criticize what she calls a "pro-Palestine sheep" mentality, where she believes people follow narratives without fully understanding the events of October 7. "People around the world really don’t understand the truth. What I saw was horrifying," Schem said. She expressed disappointment with public figures, including the rapper Drake, for perceived insensitivity towards the victims of the attacks.
Despite the trauma, Schem is focusing on rebuilding her life. She has renovated her home in Israel, undertaking much of the work herself despite her physical limitations. She is also grappling with the loss of her friend Elia Toledano, who was killed at the festival.
Schem stated that her faith has been deepened by her experience, feeling that divine intervention saved her. She expressed a desire to move forward, to build a family, and to find happiness, stating, "I don’t want to spend my life being sad, constantly reminding myself of what happened just to feel sad again."
