Israel and Hamas have reportedly agreed on the “first phase” of a peace plan — a major breakthrough in the long-standing conflict.
Yet, the aftermath of the October 7 attacks and the ongoing war in Gaza continues to leave deep scars, affecting not just Israelis and Palestinians.
Shielded her with his own body
During Hamas’s horrific terrorist attack on October 7, 2023, around 1,200 people were killed, including more than 250 civilians — children and the elderly among them. One of the thousands whose lives were shattered that day was Roei Shalev.
When terrorists stormed the Nova music festival in Israel, Roei witnessed unimaginable horror: his girlfriend, Mapal Adam, and his best friend, Hili Solomon, were killed right before his eyes.
In a desperate attempt to protect Mapal, Roei shielded her with his own body as bullets tore through the crowd.
Moments later, Mapal, 25, was shot while hiding with him under a truck. Just before she was struck, she sent a terrified text 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, only rescued when the army arrived, according to The Times of Israel.
Though he survived, the trauma stayed with him.
The pain Roei carried was almost unimaginable. And sadly, the weight of that day didn’t stop with Roei. His mother, devastated by Mapal’s death, took her own life just two weeks after the attack.
But the tragedies didn’t end there. More heartbreaking events would unfold in this family’s life. Last week, just days after the second anniversary of the massacre, Roei Shalev, 30, was found dead inside a burning car north of Tel Aviv.
Hours before his death, he posted a heart-wrenching 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.”
Mapal’s sister posted photo
Friends and family scrambled to find him after the post, fearing the worst. Emergency services later discovered his body near Netanya, and Israeli police have opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
Mapal’s sister, television presenter Maayan Adam, posted a photo of the couple on Saturday with a heartbreaking caption:
“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, called Shalev “a pillar of strength” and urged people to recognize the mental toll such trauma leaves behind.
A grim reminder
“Roei’s loss is unimaginable. Remember him for his courage, his support of the community, and the love he carried for his friends and fellow Nova Tribe members during their darkest times,” the foundation said.
This tragedy is a grim reminder that the aftermath of terror doesn’t end when the shooting stops. Survivors live with scars that aren’t visible, and the mental toll can be deadly. Israeli politicians and mental health advocates also responded, calling for greater support for survivors of the October 7 attacks.
Yair Golan, head of the Democrats party, wrote:
“Roei could not withstand the pain, but others are still here fighting, coping, trying to live. We must give them all the help we can — so they don’t feel alone.”
The Nova festival massacre claimed over 370 lives that day, with thousands more injured and traumatized. Now, with Roei Shalev gone, the human cost continues to ripple through the community.
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide or trauma, please reach out immediately. In the U.S., you can call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
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