It has been more than a year since Hamas attacked Israel and took hostages. However, many who managed to flee the militants are still suffering from the trauma of the attack.
According to IDF, 364 people were killed at the Nova Music Festival near Kibbutz Re'im while 40 others were taken hostage. One of the survivors, Shirel Golan, died by suicide on October 20, which was her 22nd birthday.
Who was Shirel Golan?
Shirel Golan, 22, was the youngest of five siblings. They along with their parents came to celebrate her birthday on Sunday. She wandered off when other were not around was found dead at the family garden in Porat, near Netanya.
Just heartbreaking beyond words 💔
— Arsen Ostrovsky 🎗️ (@Ostrov_A) October 20, 2024
Shirel Golan survived the Nova Party massacre on Oct 7th.
Today, she ended her life today in her apartment, on her 22nd birthday.
Word fail. Only tears and heartache.
May her beautiful memory and life always be a blessing! pic.twitter.com/8ptSOzebJ9
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She was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder ever since the attack last on October 7, 2023. She was attending the Nova Music Festival near the Gaza border when Hamas militants infiltrated into the country, killing thousands and taking several hostages.
Shirel managed to flee Hamas attackers in a police vehicle. Eleven of her friends who was with her were killed by the militants.
Shirel was a happy person, according to her family, and would always reach out when they needed help. However, following the traumatic incident, she did not go out of her house or visited her family. She was admitted to hospital two times and her family accused the government of not helping the survivors.
Israel government stated that around 1,900 of the 3,000 survivors were referred for treatment till July. However, only those who seek assistance get the benefit of the program.
Shirel's brother Eyal Golan said she did not seek help and no one from the government reached out to her.
"The state killed Golan. If the state doesn't wake up, there will be more cases like this," The Jerusalem Post quoted Eyal as saying.
Israel Welfare and Social Services Ministry dismissed the family's allegations, saying provides an assistance package and support to the survivors.
