Tragedy revisits the Nova festival survivor
The Nova festival attack on 7 October 2023 left a country in shock and a community of survivors grieving in silence. Two years later, Roei Shalev, the 29-year-old who fought to stay alive after shielding his girlfriend, Mapal Adam, has died. His passing adds a somber note to a chapter already marked by trauma, loss, and the ongoing search for healing among the Nova tribe.
A night that promised joy, a day of survival
Roei Shalev, Mapal Adam, and their close friend Hilly Solomon were celebrating together when Hamas militants opened fire. What began as a night of dancing and connection quickly devolved into a scene of chaos, as rocket fire and gunshots tore through the festival grounds. The trio dived for cover under abandoned cars, trying to shield each other from the deadly onslaught.
The moments under fire
Roei placed himself between danger and Mapal, a protective instinct that would become a defining element of their final hours together. He and Mapal were pinned beneath one car as bullets whizzed by and grenades exploded nearby. Hilly was killed instantly, and Roei was shot in the back as he tried to help his partner escape.
A long, painful wait for rescue
According to Roei, the ensuing hours felt endless. He remained motionless, fighting for life while blood from himself and Mapal pooled around them. A second group of gunmen fired at him again before he was finally found by the Israeli army seven hours after the attack began.
Aftershocks that stretched beyond the night
The tragedy extended far beyond the festival grounds. A week after the killings, Roei’s mother, Raffaela, took her own life, unable to bear the collective pain of October 7. In the months that followed, Roei faced relentless flashbacks, anxiety, and sleepless nights. He later credited therapy and the support of others with helping him begin to tell his story publicly.
Finding purpose in memory
Roei transformed grief into action. He renamed the family bakery to Mapal Cafe in honor of his late girlfriend and launched events to commemorate Mapal and Hilly. In fundraising posts, he spoke of a future in which the memory of loved ones could inspire resilience rather than despair, writing that “we will dance again” even as pain persisted.
Two years on: a life shaped by trauma and memory
On the second anniversary of the tragedy, Roei shared a message of enduring love and loss, acknowledging the deep, persistent pain that accompanies such losses. He wrote about longing for Mapal and apologized to her and Hilly for not being able to keep them safe, underscoring the survival story that so many Nova festival families carry with them every day.
A final, troubling turn
Three days after a poignant anniversary post, Roei Shalev was found dead in a burning car near Poleg Beach in Netanya. Police opened an investigation as the community mourned another devastating blow. In his final days, he had hinted at the unbearable weight of his grief on Instagram, saying he “can’t go on anymore.”
Remembering a pillar of the Nova community
Friends describe Roei as a warm, devoted presence who drew strength from his network even as he carried an immense burden. The Nova Tribe Community hailed his death as a profound loss, noting that many survivors and families continue to cope with ongoing trauma. As Israel remembers October 7, the stories of Roei, Mapal, and Hilly remind us of the enduring human cost of such violence.
Support for those affected
If you or someone you know is affected by trauma or suicidal thoughts, resources are available. In the UK, Samaritans can be reached at 116 123 or jo@samaritans.org. In other regions, local mental health services and crisis lines can offer confidential support.
