Mia Schem is a 22-year-old dual French-Israeli citizen. Militants from Hamas kidnapped her on October 7, 2023, during their surprise cross-border attack on southern Israel. She had attended the Nova music festival near Re’im, close to the Gaza border, when the assault happened. Armed gunmen killed and abducted dozens that day.
Soon after her abduction, Hamas released a video showing Mia injured and lying on a bed. In the footage, she asked to return home. That video became the first proof that hostages taken by Hamas were still alive.
After nearly eight weeks in Gaza, Hamas freed Mia on November 30, 2023, during a short truce deal brokered with the help of Qatar, Egypt, and the U.S. Israel released several Palestinian prisoners in exchange.
Following her release, she gave interviews describing her ordeal. She said one of her captors had touched her inappropriately but stopped after seeing her injuries. She also spoke about her fear and pain during captivity.
What Happened After Her Return?
Mia resumed therapy and tried to rebuild her life in Tel Aviv. She met a fitness trainer known for working with Israeli celebrities and even a former prime minister. They had a few training sessions before he contacted her with an offer.
He claimed he knew a Hollywood producer who was interested in turning her story into a film. They scheduled a meeting at a hotel, but the producer never showed up. A second meeting was arranged—this time at Mia’s Tel Aviv apartment.
According to Mia, the trainer arrived two hours late. Her close friend was present at the time. She said the trainer asked the friend to leave, explaining that the meeting was sensitive. Shortly after that, Mia said her memory became unclear.
How Did Mia Discover Something Was Wrong?
Mia told police she began feeling unwell and confused after the trainer arrived. She said she could not remember much from that night but recalled waking up without clothes and having unexplained injuries.
Her body, she said, reacted in a way that made her feel something terrible had happened. Friends noticed she was not herself. A friend suggested she might have been drugged. Within days, she went to the police and reported the incident. Authorities sent her to a rape crisis center for a medical examination.
Doctors reportedly found signs of sexual activity. She also had bruises on her body and marks that she could not explain. These findings strengthened her belief that she had been sexually assaulted.
What Do the Police Say?
Police arrested the trainer in late March 2025. During questioning, he initially denied all sexual contact. However, according to investigators, his story kept changing. He agreed to take a polygraph test, but the results showed he was being deceptive.
Security footage showed him arriving at Mia’s building around 4:00 p.m. Another man entered the building at 6:30 p.m. This second man was not the producer Mia had expected. Police believe the second man may now be in the U.S. and are trying to confirm his identity.
Authorities also found suspicious text messages the trainer sent after the alleged assault. He told Mia that the second man had been impressed and was “checking into it.” In another message, he reportedly wrote, “What a night, wow.” Investigators believe these messages could be evidence.
What Has the Suspect Said?
The trainer insisted he was innocent and said Mia had ruined his life. He claimed he never had sexual contact with her. But police noted inconsistencies in his testimony. They also pointed to his delayed arrival and his unusual behavior that night as part of the case.
He was released after questioning but remains a suspect. A court has issued a gag order preventing the media from naming him.
Why Is This Case Important?
This case has received widespread attention in Israel and abroad. Mia Schem had already survived a traumatic kidnapping. Now, she faces another kind of trauma—one that allegedly happened inside her own home.
In an interview with Channel 12, she said she had always feared being assaulted, even before her abduction. She believed her home would be a safe space but said that safety was taken from her.
She explained that she could no longer stay silent. She chose to reveal her name and face to speak the truth. Mia also said she was not the one who should be hiding.
The investigation is ongoing. Police are working to identify the second man seen in the video footage. They are also gathering more evidence from Mia’s apartment, analyzing messages, and waiting for lab test results.
Meanwhile, Mia continues to receive support from her family, friends, and women’s rights groups. Her case has sparked public debate in Israel about how society supports survivors of both war and sexual violence.
