Hostage Survivor Mia Schem Recounts Abuse, Criticizes Drake

Mia Schem, who was abducted from the Nova music festival and held captive by Hamas for 55 days, has spoken out about her experiences and the lasting trauma.

In an interview with the British outlet Daily Mail, Schem described the brutal abuse she endured, including being shot in the arm at close range, an injury that nearly resulted in complete amputation. She estimated losing approximately five liters of blood due to the severe wound. Schem also recounted moments of terror during her abduction, detailing how she was dragged by her hair and shoved into a car by her Hamas captors.

Schem criticized what she termed the "pro-Palestinian sheep mentality," suggesting that many people blindly follow narratives without understanding the reality of the situation. She expressed deep disappointment with Canadian-Jewish rapper Drake, whose song about Gaza left her stunned. "People really don't know what the reality is," she stated, referencing his call to "Pray for Palestine."

Reflecting on her time in captivity, Schem asserted that no one in Gaza is innocent, claiming that children are taught to hate, become terrorists, and glorify death. She also shared harrowing details of her treatment by the family of one of her captors, describing extreme cruelty, including being given food only once every two to three days and limited water, and being taunted by their children. She noted a complete lack of humanity, even from women, stating that the wife of her captor was particularly hateful and jealous.

Despite the physical and psychological scars, Schem's faith has deepened, feeling that God saved her. Looking forward, her greatest aspiration is to start a family, though she acknowledges this is a process she can only undertake when she feels in a better place with herself.