According to British media reports on October 12, a survivor of October 7 who witnessed his girlfriend’s murder in front of him during the Hamas attack at the Nova Music Festival committed suicide after declaring “I can’t stand this pain anymore.”
Roy Shaleef's body was found in his burned car on Friday night, located in northern Tel Aviv. Hours ago, he posted on social media to express his intention to end his life.
The 29-year-old wrote on his social platform account: "I'm really sorry. I can't bear this pain anymore. My heart is burning and I can't restrain it anymore. I've never felt such a deep, burning pain and suffering in my life that consumes me from the inside out."
Shalef's girlfriend, Mapar Adam, and his best friend, Healy Solomon, were brutally killed in front of his eyes when Hamas militants sneaked into southern Israel from Gaza to launch a deadly terrorist attack on the Nova Music Festival.
Shalev, who was shot in the back in this devastating attack, had to pretend to be dead within hours. He was trying to hide under the car with Ms. Adam and Solomon until they were killed.
This unprecedented offensive shocked Israel and had devastating psychological consequences for witnesses to the Holocaust.
According to Israeli media reports, Shalev's mother also took her own life two weeks after the Hamas attack, which left him severely emotionally scarred.
Several secular opposition politicians, many of whom remained active during the Jewish Sabbath, called for greater support for survivors of the attack after learning of Shalev's death.
Avigdor Lieberman, the leader of the Hawk Party, Israel Our Home, said: “It is time for Israel to regard the victims of mental health problems as heroes – not statistics.”
Leader of the Left Democratic Party, Yair Golan, wrote: “Roy failed to endure the pain, but there are others who continue to struggle, respond, and live hard.”
According to reports, surveillance showed that Shalef had refilled vehicles at a gas station, and his burned car was later found near Netanya.
The Nova Tribal Community, which represents the survivors of the Holocaust and the families of the victims, said that Shaleef’s death “broke their hearts” in a statement: “Roy is one of the pillars of our community and his departure was an immeasurable loss. Please remember his best moments—his fearless support for the community, his leadership pattern as head of the Nova tribal basketball team, and his dedication to helping his best friend in the most difficult times.”
Early in the morning of October 7, 2023, Palestinian militants broke into Israel from Gaza, attacking the festival and several surrounding communities, killing more than 370 activists.