A recent string of suicides has been reported among individuals connected to the Nova music festival, which was targeted by Hamas militants in a deadly attack on October 7, 2023. The latest incident involves an Israeli man, Roei Shalev, who survived the attack but took his own life three days after the second anniversary of the assault. Shalev’s body was found in a burning car on a highway exit outside the city of Netanya. He had been shot in the back during the attack but managed to survive by playing dead for several hours.
Shalev’s girlfriend, Mapal Adam, and his close friend, Hili Solomon, were among those killed in the attack. Tragically, his mother also took her own life two weeks after the tragedy. In a goodbye message posted on his Instagram page hours before his death, Shalev expressed his desire for the suffering to end and asked for forgiveness.
Israeli police are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding Shalev’s death. Another incident involved Yelena Giler, the mother of Slava Giler, who was murdered by Hamas militants at the festival. She also took her own life, according to Israeli media reports. Additionally, other survivors have struggled with depression, including Shirel Golan, a Nova attendee who committed suicide a year after the attack.
The Hamas attack on the Nova music festival resulted in the deaths of over 370 people, with about 1,200 fatalities overall. Israel responded with a military offensive, which has reportedly cost more than 67,000 Palestinian lives, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The crisis has prompted the UN to accuse Israel of genocide. The recent suicides highlight the ongoing trauma and suffering experienced by those affected by the attack, and the need for support and resources to help them cope with their losses.
