It’s been a year of the deadly October 7 Hamas’ attack on Israel, but the wounds are yet to heal. In a tragic turn of events, a 22-year-old woman, Shirel Golan has ended her life by suicide. Shirel was the survivor of Nova music festival near Kibbutz Re’im on October 7, 2023.
She died at her home on her birthday. Times of Israel reported that Shirel passed away on October 20 at her residence in Porat. Her family said that since her escape, she was struggling with Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
As per reports, she turned 22 on Sunday and was supposed to spend the day with her family. Instead, she was found lifeless at her home in the community of Porat, near Netanya, her phone filled with unanswered well-wishes from friends wishing her a happy 22nd birthday.
Blame On Israel
Her brother, Eyal has accused the state of failure to provide her help for emotional and mental issues in the aftermath of 7 October. He said, “If the state had taken care of her, none of this would have happened.” He added that the State of Israel killed his sister twice. Once in October, mentally, and a second time, on her 22nd birthday, physically.
Hamas Attack Survivor
Shirel and her partner had managed to escape Nova music festival after Hamas-led terrorists began killing on October 7. They first reached to the car and tried to drive out of the area. But when it became clear that they can’t escape they abandoned the vehicle. The couple then hid under a bush for hours until they were found and recovered by the police.
As per reports, over 364 people at music and dance festival near Kibbutz Re’im in southern Israel were slaughtered, and many of them were subjected to other atrocities, including gang rape and mutilation of victims.
PTSD And Death
Shirel had started to develop symptoms of PTSD after months following the attack. The symptoms included withdrawal and disassociation. She was hospitalized twice, but she was never diagnosed as PTSD sufferer.
Her brother said that he had noticed her withdrawing from people and asked her to seek help. But she replied that she had not received any help from the state. Shirel said that the assistance she received came from the grassroots Tribe of Nova Community association which was founded by fellow survivors and relatives of victims following the attack. He emphasized that family had done their best to take care of her.
Eyal was quoted saying, “My mother was forced to take early retirement to be next to her daughter. We didn’t move a millimeter from her, and the only time we left her alone was today, and she decided to take her own life.” He stressed that the state needed to “wake up,” or there could be more suicide attempts.
“I lost my sister, but I want to raise a hue and cry so others won’t lose their loved ones,” said Eyal as reported by Ynet.
What Is PTSD?
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition, caused by an extremely stressful or terrifying event. This develops either by being part of the event or witnessing it. Symptoms of PTSD include nightmares flashbacks, anxiety and uncontrollable thoughts about the event.
