Survivor of Hamas Massacre Dies by Suicide After Battle With PTSD
Shirel Golan, 22, a survivor of the October 7 Hamas massacre at the Nova music festival near Kibbutz Re’im, took her own life on her birthday following a prolonged struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), according to her family.
Golan had planned to celebrate with loved ones but was found dead at her home in Porat, near Netanya.
Her brother, Eyal, blamed the state for inadequate mental health support, saying, “The State of Israel killed my sister twice. Once in October, mentally, and a second time today, on her 22nd birthday, physically.”
Eyal told Hebrew media, “If the state had taken care of her, none of this would have happened.”
In November, Golan told the public broadcaster Kan that she and her partner narrowly escaped the attack on the open-air music festival, which claimed 364 lives.
Her family claims that despite her severe PTSD and two hospitalizations, the state never officially recognized her condition.
Eyal stressed that the only support she received came from the Tribe of Nova Community, a grassroots group of survivors.
“My mother took early retirement to care for her, and the only time we left her alone was today,” he said, calling on the state to “wake up” and prevent more tragedies.
Israel’s Welfare and Social Services Ministry responded, stating that it provides a range of support services for survivors.
