Mia Schem became a face known around the world after surviving the horror of the October 7 attacks and months of captivity in Gaza. Now, the French-Israeli survivor is stepping into an unexpected new phase of life, one defined less by the ordeal that made her famous and more by healing, identity and reinvention.
A former tattoo artist, Schem was abducted from the Nova Music Festival when Hamas carried out its deadly assault on Israel on October 7, 2023. She was taken into Gaza and held hostage for 54 days.
Schem was 21 at the time of the attack. She has said she was shot in the arm by a Hamas gunman before being forced across the border into Gaza, where she later described being treated like an “animal in a cage.”
During her captivity, she underwent surgery for the bullet wound and has reportedly said she went for days without pain relief afterward. She was also left to tend to her own injury, changing her bandages herself.
Beyond the physical pain, Schem has recounted psychological torment, including emotional abuse and cruel taunts from those holding her captive.
Following her release in late November 2023, Schem emerged as a visible voice for the hostages still held in Gaza. She campaigned publicly for their freedom, addressed the United Nations and took part in events at the White House.
Nearly three years later, Schem is embracing modelling as part of a personal transformation, pursuing a creative path as she works to reclaim both her inner confidence and public image after surviving captivity.
“Turning stories into impact,” Schem tells her 300,000 Instagram followers in her bio. “From darkness to purpose – with light.”
Mia Schem became one of the most recognisable victims of the October 7 attacks after spending months in captivity in Gaza
Almost three years on, Ms Shem has turned to modelling, embracing a new passion as she seeks to reconnect with her inner and outer self after everything she endured
Now 24, Ms Schem has filled her social media pages with glamorous snaps from international holidays, red carpet appearances and photoshoots, while continuing to speak out about the atrocities she endured at the hands of Hamas.
This includes trips to London, speaking at the UN and at a fundraising in Toronto in July, organised by Tribe of Nova Canada, which supports survivors and families of victims of October 7.
In one recent post, she posed in figure-hugging lace lingerie-esque pieces, crediting her team for her polished hair and make-up.
Among them is Israeli hair designer, artist and academy founder Dvir Tvik, who boasts more than 255,000 followers online.
In a striking post shared earlier this month, Ms Schem defiantly displayed the scars left on her arm as she fixed her gaze directly on the camera.
Wearing a sultry red corseted dress with intricate lace detailing, the October 7 survivor appeared determined to reclaim her story, standing proudly and unapologetically in front of her followers.
The glamorous photos formed part of a carousel shared on Mr Tvik’s account, showcasing Ms Schem’s polished new look.
Alongside her carefully-styled appearance and immaculate manicure, what appears to be a Rolex Day-Date watch can be spotted on her wrist, a luxury timepiece that can retail for upwards of £30,000.
Now 24, Ms Schem has filled her social media pages with glamorous snaps from international holidays, red carpet appearances and photoshoots
In one recent post, she posed in figure-hugging lace lingerie-esque pieces, crediting her team for her polished hair and make-up
Ms Shem was forced to undergo surgery after being shot in the arm by Hamas, reportedly going without painkillers for days afterwards, and was left to change her own bandages
The images quickly drew an outpouring of support from admirers, many of whom praised her resilience and transformation in the years since the Hamas attacks.
One supporter wrote: ‘You are so stunning and I wish you nothing but health, happiness and joy,’ while another commented: ‘There must be a God!’
Dozens more flooded the post with messages of encouragement, describing her as an inspiration and expressing admiration for the strength she has shown since surviving the October 7 atrocities.
Others simply shared their love and support for Ms Schem, whose journey has resonated with supporters around the world.
Ms Schem made headlines as one of the first Israeli captives to be seen in video footage from within Gaza in October 2023.
She was caught in grainy video footage with a bloody bandage covering her arm, having been operated on in captivity, allegedly by a vet.
In the clip, Ms Schem said in Hebrew that ‘everything is fine’, that she received medical treatment for injuries, and pleaded for her release.
Ms Schem is seen in a van alongside fellow Israeli captive Amit Soussana shortly before their release
‘Hi, I’m Mia Schem, 21-years-old from Shoham,’ she said in the first clip. ‘Currently, I’m in Gaza. I was seriously injured in my hand. I underwent surgery on my arm at the hospital for three hours.
‘They are taking care of me, giving me medicine, everything is fine,’ she was heard saying at the time.
Before she was freed, she was made to film another video, in which she said of her time in captivity: ‘People very good, very kind to me… Food good and the kindness and everything good.’
The report was flagged for running contrary to the accounts of other hostages who were reported to have lost as much as 10kg in less than two months of captivity, blamed on poor diets and improper medical care.
Upon her release, Ms Schem quickly spoke out against Hamas and the treatment of hostages.
Speaking with Israeli outlet Channel 13 days after regaining her freedom, Ms Schem said it was ‘important to me to relay the truth about the nature of the people who live in Gaza, who they are truly and what I experienced there’.
‘I went through a holocaust,’ she said. ‘Everyone over there is a terrorist. I felt like an animal in a zoo.’
Upon her release from captivity, Ms Schem’s family raised concerns she had received improper treatment.
Mia Schem dancing and smiling at the Nova music festival before the Hamas attack
‘She is thin, she is weak,’ Ms Schem’s aunt, Vivian Hadar, told media. ‘A vet operated on her arm. She did not receive physiotherapy.’
She was seized by Hamas gunmen at the Nova music festival along with her friend Elia Toledano, 28, as they attempted to flee. Their car crashed and burned after coming under fire, which is when Ms Schem was shot in the arm. She did not see Mr Toledano again.
Mia Schem was held in a family home in Gaza in a room with her captor, with his wife and children in the adjacent room. After 55 days in captivity, she was released during a temporary truce between Israel and Hamas.
Sadly, a month later, Mr Toledano’s body was recovered from Gaza by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and returned home.
Some 240 hostages were taken from southern Israel into Gaza when Hamas launched its sudden assault on October 7.
More than 1,200 were killed in the attack as armed gunmen struck residential kibbutzim and the Nova music festival near Re’im.
Hamas released more than 100 hostages during a week-long ceasefire at the end of November, most of them agreed as part of a deal with Israel.
A total of 110 hostages had been released by December 1, only women and children. A number still in captivity have been reported dead since.
Few civilians returning from Gaza have given extensive accounts of their time spent as hostages.
