![Mia Schem, an Israeli hostage who was freed after being abducted by Hamas, in Statuary Hall ahead of a State of the Union address at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, US, on Thursday, March 7, 2024. [Ting Shen/Bloomberg/Getty Images]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/GettyImages-2059268510.jpg?fit=920%2C613&ssl=1)
A former Israeli captive has admitted that she felt more safe and protected in Gaza than in Israel, the Hebrew Maariv newspaper reported yesterday.
Mia Schem, 23, was released as part of a prisoner swap deal in November 2023.
Earlier this month, Schem identified herself as the plaintiff in a previously reported rape case against a famouse personal trainer in Tel Aviv, who is a prominent figure on social media and has several celebrity clients, including a former prime minister.
According to the paper, Schem alleged that the rape took place in her home, using a date rape drug, and that she does not remember many of the details.
Israeli media outlets reported that the suspect in Schem’s case had lied in a polygraph test, yet he was released from custody due to lack of evidence. They also accused Schem of lying in search of limelight.
A court placed a complete gag order on the investigation including the identities of the parties involved.
According to official reports, while thousands of sexual harassment and assault cases are reported each year, almost nine out of ten rape cases are closed without charges.
A report by the Association of Rape Crisis Centres, Israel Police opened 6,405 investigations into rape cases in 2023, however, 81 per cent of them were closed without an indictment while charges were filed in only 16 per cent of cases. Two per cent of the remaining cases ended in a conditional settlement.
Israel: Netanyahu says destroying Hamas more important than freeing captives