A glimmer of diplomatic progress may be emerging in one of the world’s most enduring and painful conflicts, yet the shadows of the October 7 attacks and the ongoing war in Gaza continue to weigh heavily on countless lives — both Israeli and Palestinian.
A Hero in the Face of Terror
During the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, over 1,200 people were killed, including more than 250 civilians — children, parents, and the elderly. Among those whose lives were forever changed was Roei Shalev, a young Israeli man whose world would never be the same.
At the Nova music festival, Roei witnessed unimaginable horror. His girlfriend, Mapal Adam, and his best friend, Hili Solomon, were killed in front of him. In a desperate act of protection, Roei shielded Mapal with his own body as gunfire tore through the crowd.
Moments later, 25-year-old Mapal was shot while hiding beneath a truck next to Roei. Before she was hit, she sent a final, terrified message to her sister:
“Don’t tell Mom. I’m scared. There’s a massacre. Bullets are hitting me in the head.”
Roei survived by playing dead for hours until Israeli forces arrived to rescue survivors.
A Chain of Tragedy
The emotional toll of that day proved devastating. Though Roei’s physical injuries eventually healed, his psychological wounds never did. Just two weeks after the attack, his mother, overwhelmed with grief over Mapal’s death and her son’s suffering, took her own life.
This month, tragedy struck again. Days after the second anniversary of the massacre, Roei Shalev, 30, was found dead in a burning car north of Tel Aviv.
Hours before his death, he posted a haunting message on social media:
“Please don’t be angry with me, please. No one will ever understand me, and that’s okay, because you can’t understand. I just want this suffering to end. I’m alive, but inside everything is dead.”
Friends and family launched a frantic search, and their worst fears were confirmed when emergency services found his body near Netanya. Authorities have opened an investigation into the circumstances of his death.
Remembering Love and Courage
In response, Mapal’s sister, television presenter Maayan Adam, shared a heartbreaking tribute:
“Roei was murdered on October 7 and died yesterday. I have no words, and it will take time to find them. I hope these two kids are hugging and smiling right now, hearts pressed together again.”
The Nova Community Foundation, which supports survivors and bereaved families, described Roei as “a pillar of strength” — someone who bore not only his own pain but the burdens of others.
“Roei’s loss is unimaginable,” the foundation said. “Remember him for his courage, his love for his friends, and his strength in supporting others even through his own darkness.”
A Lasting Scar
Roei’s story is a stark reminder that the consequences of terror extend far beyond the battlefield. Even when gunfire stops, survivors are left with invisible scars — wounds that linger long after the world moves on.
Mental health experts and officials in Israel have called for increased psychological support for those affected by the October 7 massacre.
“Roei could not bear the pain,” one advocate said, “but there are many others still fighting to live. We must make sure they never feel alone.”
The Nova music festival massacre claimed over 370 lives and left thousands traumatized and grieving. Roei’s passing adds another name to that list — a painful reminder that the suffering didn’t end when the shooting did.