In the wake of unspeakable tragedy, the world now mourns Roei Shalev, a survivor of the October 7, 2023 Nova Festival attack, whose life was cut short after a courageous battle with the trauma that followed. Roei’s passing is a heartbreaking reminder that the echoes of that day continue to claim lives long after the gunfire has ceased. His death comes as a second unbearable loss for his family, following the tragic passing of his mother, who was unable to bear the pain of her son’s suffering.
Roei was more than a survivor — he was a symbol of unimaginable strength. When terror erupted at dawn that October morning, he acted instinctively to protect those he loved. As rockets tore through the skies above southern Israel, Roei grasped the hands of his girlfriend, Mapal, and their friend, Hilly, fleeing into the chaos. They sought refuge beneath abandoned vehicles as bullets and explosions surrounded them. When Hamas terrorists descended, Roei watched in horror as both women were killed instantly. Gravely wounded, he feigned death beneath the car, drenched in blood and gasoline, enduring seven harrowing hours before rescue teams arrived.
The physical wounds eventually began to heal, but the psychological scars ran deep. The trauma of that day — the loss, the horror, the helplessness — shadowed every step of his life afterward. Despite his efforts to rebuild and find meaning, the weight became too great. In his final words, Roei expressed love and sorrow to those closest to him, apologizing for the pain his choice might cause, and confessing that he could no longer live under the weight of the memories he carried.
Friends and loved ones remember Roei as a kind, loyal, and deeply empathetic young man — one whose quiet bravery saved lives even as he faced unthinkable terror. His story, from survival to loss, and now to rest, reveals both the strength of the human spirit and the devastating toll of trauma left unhealed.
Roei’s journey, which brought him from Israel to Canada in search of peace and renewal, speaks to the universal struggle of survivors everywhere — the unseen wounds that follow acts of violence and the urgent need for compassion and mental health support. His life and death remind us that the tragedies of October 7 did not end that day; they continue to ripple through time, touching families, communities, and nations.
As those who loved him gather to remember his light, they do so with a collective vow: to speak his name, to honor his story, and to fight for a world where healing triumphs over hate.
May the memory of Roei Shalev be a blessing.
May he find eternal peace beside his mother, his beloved Mapal, and Hilly — the souls he held close until his final breath.
And may his story continue to call us toward empathy, understanding, and the courage to heal together.