The haunting aftermath of tragedy: When survival becomes a battle against unseen scars.
The devastating ripple effects of the 2023 Nova music festival attack in Israel continue to unfold, revealing a heartbreaking story of loss and despair. Roei Shalev, a survivor who witnessed the brutal murder of his girlfriend and best friend during the Hamas-led assault, has tragically taken his own life—just days after the second anniversary of that fateful day. But here’s where it gets even more heartbreaking: Roei’s mother also ended her life just two weeks after the attack, unable to bear the grief of losing her son’s partner, with whom she shared a close bond.
On that October morning, over 370 festival-goers were killed when militants crossed from Gaza into Israel, targeting the music festival and nearby communities. Roei, 30, was shot while trying to save his girlfriend, Mapal Adam, and his best friend, Hili Solomon, as they attempted to hide under a car. And this is the part most people miss: Roei lay beside Mapal’s lifeless body for two hours, waiting for rescue, a scene that would haunt him until his final days. As Mapal’s sister, Maayan, poignantly described, ‘Her heart was so big, it was impossible to miss.’
Hours before his death, Roei shared a haunting message on social media: ‘Please don’t be angry with me… I just want this suffering to end. I’m alive, but inside everything is dead.’ His words underscore the invisible wounds that trauma leaves behind—wounds that society often fails to address. Is it enough to mourn the dead, or must we also confront the systemic failures that leave survivors to battle their demons alone?
The Nova Tribe Community Foundation, which supports survivors, remembered Roei as ‘a backbone of the community,’ praising his bravery, kindness, and unwavering support for others. Yet, his story raises a controversial question: How many more lives will be lost before we prioritize mental health support for those scarred by terror?
Secular opposition politicians, active on social media during the Jewish Sabbath, reacted with outrage, demanding better mental health resources for survivors. Yair Golan, leader of the leftwing Democrats party, urged, ‘We must give them all the help we can—so they don’t feel alone.’ But is this enough? Are we doing enough to address the long-term psychological toll of such atrocities?
Mapal’s sister posted a heart-wrenching photo of the couple, captioning it, ‘Roei was murdered on 7 October and died yesterday.’ Her words echo the sentiment that Roei’s death was not just a personal tragedy but a failure of a system that left him to fight his battles alone. As we remember Roei, Mapal, and Hili, let’s also ask ourselves: What more could—and should—we be doing to prevent such tragedies?
This story isn’t just about loss; it’s a call to action. Do you think society is doing enough to support survivors of terror attacks? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s start a conversation that could save lives.
