Shock in Israel: Mia Shem’s Mother Says Her Daughter Was Safer with Hamas Than in Tel Aviv
In a startling revelation that’s making waves in Hebrew media, Keren Shem — mother of former Zionist captive Mia Shem — declared that her daughter felt safer in Hamas captivity than in her own home in Tel Aviv, following a sexual assault there.
Speaking to The Times, Keren Shem said Mia was in a deeply fragile mental state, far worse than during her time in Gaza’s tunnels with the Qassam Brigades. “When we reunited after her release, she couldn’t stop crying,” she said. “She was curled up, sobbing uncontrollably. I've seen her go through rough times before, but this… this is different. She’s broken.”
What stunned many even more was Mia Shem’s own confession — she had feared being raped in Gaza, but the trauma only found her in Tel Aviv, in what was supposed to be the safety of her home.
This heartbreaking account has sparked a wave of reactions, with some activists claiming it exposes the cracks in the Zionist narrative and raises serious questions about security, trauma, and truth in Israel itself.
Hebrew Media Erupts After Mia Shem's Rape Allegation: "Israel Is Dangerous for Women, Even More Than Gaza"
The Hebrew daily Maariv has stirred controversy with its explosive coverage of public reactions following Mia Shem’s shocking revelation — a former hostage of the Qassam Brigades who returned from Gaza, only to be sexually assaulted in Tel Aviv.
One of the most striking public comments quoted by Maariv stated:
"Israel isn’t just killing civilians in Gaza — it’s also one of the most dangerous places in the world for women when it comes to sexual violence."
The newspaper backed this by citing official statistics: thousands of sexual assault complaints are filed in Israel each year, yet only a small fraction lead to prosecutions or convictions. Even in Mia’s high-profile case, where the accused failed a lie detector test, he was released due to lack of evidence. No significant witnesses have been charged so far.
Just days ago, Mia Shem became a trending topic across Israeli social media after revealing that she had been raped in Tel Aviv by a well-known fitness trainer. This, despite having spent days in Gaza without suffering any harm of that kind.
Shem said she filed a police report and that she suspects the man drugged her, as she can’t recall parts of the assault — a detail investigators are still examining.
In an emotional interview on Channel 12, the 22-year-old said she chose to speak out to "reclaim herself," stating:
"I decided to tell the truth. I’m not the one who should be hiding."
She added:
"This was my biggest fear — before captivity, during it, and after. And it happened in my own home… the one place I thought I was safe."
Mia Shem’s Painful Truth: After Surviving Captivity in Gaza, She Faces Rape in Tel Aviv
Mia Shem, the French-Israeli citizen captured during the October 7, 2023 attack, spent 55 days in the Gaza Strip before being released under the first ceasefire agreement on November 30. During her captivity, she became the subject of ridicule after claiming one of her Qassam captors “raped her with his eyes” — a statement that sparked controversy across social media.
But the story took a darker turn after her return to Israel.
Activists, including many who had previously criticized her statements, pointed out the bitter irony: Shem had reportedly been treated with dignity and respect while held in Gaza, only to face real trauma once she returned home. Many argued that she paid a personal price for casting doubt on how she was treated in captivity, despite being under care and protection throughout her stay.
According to Mia’s account, her alleged assault occurred during a private meeting arranged at her apartment with a well-known fitness trainer. A previous plan to meet at a hotel had fallen through. When the trainer arrived, he reportedly asked her close friend — who was also in the apartment — to leave, insisting the meeting was private and couldn’t include a third person.
From that point on, Mia says her memory becomes hazy.
"My body remembers. I feel everything. But I don't know what happened," she told Hebrew media, as reported by Euronews.
As flashbacks began to surface, Mia recalled the coach entering her room — and even the presence of a third person in the apartment. A friend later suggested she might have been drugged, prompting her to seek help from the authorities.
Shem reported the incident to the police, who referred her to a specialized center for sexual assault survivors. Despite the trauma she endured, her story continues to raise uncomfortable questions about safety, justice, and the narratives that shape public perception.
Mia Shem Case Deepens: Medical Report Confirms Assault Signs as Suspect’s Story Falls Apart
The story of Mia Shem, the former hostage who says she was raped in Tel Aviv after surviving captivity in Gaza, continues to send shockwaves through Israeli society. According to a medical report cited by Shem, doctors found evidence of sexual intercourse along with unexplained physical marks on her body.
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In late March, Israeli police arrested the alleged attacker — a well-known fitness trainer whose identity remains under gag order — following growing online speculation that he had sexually assaulted one of the female prisoners released from Gaza.
Although the coach was later released on bail, he remains the primary suspect. He has firmly denied any sexual contact with Shem. However, his credibility has taken a hit: his story has reportedly changed multiple times, and a lie detector test revealed inconsistencies in his responses about the night in question.
One particularly damning detail emerged from a text message he sent to Shem after their encounter:
“What a night, what a blast.”
This message, now seen as disturbing, further fueled public doubt about his version of events.
Mia Shem, determined to break the silence, posted a behind-the-scenes photo from her televised interview on Instagram, writing:
“It’s not easy to stand in front of the camera and reveal the truth. But at some point, we realize that our silence doesn’t protect us — it protects them.”
Meanwhile, the Islamic Resistance Movement — Hamas — has reiterated its denial of allegations that its fighters committed sexual violence against Israeli women during the October 7 attack or during the captivity of hostages.