On Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terrorists violently invaded Israel, killing over 1,200 Israelis. The Nova Music Festival, which took place near the Israeli border with Gaza, was an early target of the brutal Hamas massacre and left hundreds dead and countless more injured and fleeing for their lives.
This is the first in a series of interviews dedicated to spotlighting the stories of resilience of those individuals who were at the Nova festival on that day and endured the trauma of Oct. 7, 2023, as they rebuild their lives.
NAME | Osher Daniel
AGE | 23
HOME | Hadera, Israel
Who I was before Oct. 7, 2023
Before the seventh of October, I was searching for myself. I worked as a waitress at the beach and as a saleswoman in an event center. I really loved going out to parties and enjoyed my life. My life was filled with the pleasures of parties and friends. I loved my life, but on the other hand, I was terribly lost.
How I remember Oct. 7
October 7. What I remember. A convoy of colorful vehicles on the way to a party in Gan Eden – fairies, love, music. Then, with the sunrise, everything turned into a nightmare. On the way back, at the Reim intersection, we saw ten terrorists on motorcycles. Shooting. Soldiers lying and bleeding. Somehow, we managed to escape, but at the next junction – bodies and cries for help. There was no choice but to turn back through the terrorists. We drove full gas, gunshots from every direction, the windows shattered, but we didn’t stop.
We tried to reach a nearby kibbutz, but (my friend) Itay caught me just before I got out of the car – terrorists were running towards us. In the traffic jam, people panicked when they saw our car full of bullet holes. I spotted the terrorists again, I shouted for everyone to run. I lost my friends in the run, but my other friend Stav called me to come to her.
We arrived at the party camp, but a moment later terrorists surrounded us. I fled to the tents and found shelter under the main stage, with dozens of people. Blood, tears, complete silence. After two hours, a call was heard to run south. It was the “death run.” People fell one after another.
We tried to hide, but terrorists threw stones at us. When I realized they were holding RPGs, I knew it was time to escape. The phones went dead, and I lost hope. A policeman told me on the phone to dig a hole and hide. I called my mother, crying silently. Finally, I went out with a Muslim guy who had a police location. We walked for ten minutes, which seemed like an eternity. When we reached them, they directed us to an ambulance.
Stav and Assaf were murdered.
I am alive, but the wounds remain deep. Today I understand. I am here to tell, so that we will never forget
How are you doing today? How are you healing?
I am an actress today, fulfilling my dreams and finding a lot of healing in this and yoga and meditation. Getting closer to myself and making room for the pain. I am a part of Hebrew community groups and have an amazing therapist and family support.
What are your hopes and dreams?
To be able to heal a broken heart. To make peace with myself and be released from this place of guilt. To develop in the field of entrepreneurship and acting. To learn and develop.
What is one thing we should know about the Nova survivor community?
It takes time to heal a broken heart. But we are a people of light and love. And together we are better.
For more information, visit tribeofnova.com. This interview has been edited for clarity and translated.
