It was presupposed to be a day of pure pleasure, with hours spent dancing with the love of his life.
However when Hamas terrorists attacked Nova pageant on 7 October 2023, Roei Shalev’s life was tragically modified without end.
The 29-year-old was dancing the night time away along with his companion, Mapal Adam, and their finest buddy Hilly Solomon when rocket fireplace instantly drowned out the music.
Roei, Mapal and Hilly frantically tried to flee by automotive, driving away from the pageant grounds till they encountered a younger lady stumbling into the highway, coated in blood.
She warned them that there have been Hamas gunmen behind her, so the trio exited their automobile and ran to close by bushes to cover.
“Bullets whizzed past us, grenades exploded nearby, and terror engulfed us from all directions,” Roei mentioned.
They dove underneath two deserted vehicles – Roei and Mapal underneath one, Hilly underneath the opposite.
However the gunmen caught up with them, taking pictures the three festivalgoers as they have been pinned underneath the vehicles.
Roei tried to defend 26-year-old Mapal from the bullets, however she died beneath him whereas he was shot within the again. Hilly, 26, was additionally killed immediately.
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Roei performed lifeless for seven hours, coated in his and his girlfriend’s blood. Pic: Instagram/@roeishalev
What adopted have been “agonising” hours throughout which Roei lay nonetheless, coated in his and his girlfriend’s blood, and performed lifeless.
Even when a second group of gunmen approached and shot at him a second time, hitting him within the again but once more, he didn’t transfer.
Seven hours later, the Israeli military discovered Roei alive.
“That day was the darkest I’ve ever known,” he later mentioned.
The fear continued
Per week after his girlfriend and finest buddy have been killed, Roei’s mom Raffaela took her personal life as a result of she “couldn’t contain the pain and losses of October 7”, in accordance with her son.
“In just one week, I lost three of the most important women to me in the world,” Roei mentioned.
“In the months that followed, I struggled to cope. Flashbacks and anxiety consumed me, and sleep became a distant memory.”
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Roei was shot within the again twice. Pic: Instagram/@roeishalev
Roei mentioned remedy and the unwavering assist of others gave him the energy to share his story publicly.
“I opened up on social media, laying bare the rawest details of my trauma. The response was overwhelming,” Roei wrote on a fundraising web page for Nova pageant survivors and their households final 12 months.
“Messages poured in from people who found solace and inspiration in my journey. Their words gave me purpose, a reason to keep fighting.”
He mentioned he was “uncertain of what the future holds”, however knew that he needed to “honour the memory of the three extraordinary girls who were taken from us too soon”.
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Roei Shalev and Mapal Adam. Pic: Instagram/@roeishalev
Within the two years that adopted these tragic occasions, Roei renamed the household bakery he had been working along with his girlfriend to “Mapal Cafe”, in tribute to his “one and only love” and organised occasions to commemorate Mapal and Hilly.
“Amidst the pain and sorrow, I hold onto one truth: we will dance again,” he mentioned in his fundraising put up a 12 months in the past.
‘Eager for you is just getting larger’
On the anniversary of his girlfriend’s demise, Roei wrote on Instagram: “Two years have passed since the most terrible day of my life… and of a whole country.
“The eager for you is just getting larger, the ache doesn’t move with time. It’s at all times there, all over the place, on a regular basis. I am filled with ache this 12 months, much more than final 12 months.”
In the post, Roei thanked his girlfriend for “moments I will not overlook, pure love and the very best relationship I might ask for”.
He also addressed both her and Hilly, saying: “An enormous apology that I could not hold you protected on this horrible day, you recognize I did every part, I did every part to maintain you protected, my beloved.
“I preferred to die in agony and for you to survive it.”
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A lady leans on an image of Mapal Adam, on the web site of the Nova music pageant. File pic: AP
Three days later, Roei was discovered lifeless in a burning automotive close to Poleg Seashore in Netanya, Israel. Police have opened an investigation, in accordance with Israeli media.
Shortly earlier than his physique was discovered, Roei had posted a word on his Instagram account, saying he “can’t go on anymore”.
“I’ve never felt such deep and burning pain and suffering in my life. It’s eating me up inside,” Roei wrote.
His mates describe Roei as a heat and devoted member of the Nova neighborhood who “gave strength to everyone else while quietly carrying immense pain”, The Instances of Israel experiences.
Roei’s household confirmed his demise in an announcement and requested for his or her privateness to be revered.
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Roei Shalev was discovered lifeless on Friday. Pic: Instagram/@novaexhibitions
The Nova Tribe Group organisation, which represents survivors and households of the victims of the October 7 assault on the music pageant, referred to as his demise “heartbreaking” and “deeply saddening” in a tribute.
“Roei was a pillar of strength within the community, and his death is an immeasurable loss for us,” the organisation mentioned.
The assertion continued: “Sadly, many members of the Nova community are still experiencing traumatic moments daily since October 7.
“We ask everybody to indicate fixed consciousness and emotional sensitivity to the psychological state of these affected by the October 7 occasions and to all survivors and bereaved households.”
Alternatively, you’ll be able to name Thoughts’s assist line on 0300 102 1234, or NHS on 111.
