Death of Aner Shapira

Aner Elyakim Shapira (ענר אליקים שפירא; March 12, 2001 – October 7, 2023) was an Israeli who was killed during the 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel. During the Re'im music festival massacre, while taking cover in a shelter, Shapira threw back at Hamas militants 7 explosive grenades they had originally thrown into the shelter. Ultimately, he saved the lives of at least 7 people who survived the massacre. For his actions, he was called a "hero" by Israeli and international media.

Personal
Shapira was an alumnus of the Himmelfarb religious high school for boys in Jerusalem. After graduating from high school Shapira attempted to enlist, but was injured at least twice prior to serving causing his service to be delayed for a little over a year. At the time of his death, he was serving in an elite unit of the Nahal Brigade in the Israel Defense Forces.

Shapira's grandfather, Hanina Ben-Menahem, was a professor of Jewish law at the Hebrew University. His grandmother, Yemima Ben-Menachem, was also a professor. His great-grandfather was Haim-Moshe Shapira, one of the signatories of the Declaration of Independence of Israel.

Events of October 7, 2023
On October 7, 2023, Shapira went to the Nova music festival in Reim with his friend Hersh Goldberg-Polin. When Hamas militants attacked the event, Shapira's commander called and told him to report to the Sufa military base, however due to shooting he and his friends ran into a public missile shelter in Re'im at approximately 7:55 am, hiding with about two dozen other people. Shapira reportedly attempted to inspire hope for those in the shelter by telling them that the Israeli military would arrive soon. Shapira stood near the exit, telling those next to him that if the shelter was attacked by militants or grenades, he would throw the grenades back. For several minutes, Hamas militants shot bullets and fired rocket-propelled grenades into the shelter to kill those hiding, with Shapira ejecting the grenades from the shelter seven times; the eighth exploded in his hands, killing him. On November 14, a video of this act appeared online, as the it had been captured by a windshield camera on a vehicle near to the shelter. Shapira's friend Goldberg-Polin, who also reportedly was throwing back grenades, lost his hand from a grenade explosion, but was able to tie a tourniquet around his arm and was subsequently taken hostage. At least 7 people who were hiding in the shelter with Shapira ultimately survived the attack.

Shapira's parents, Shira and Moshe, were unaware of what happened to their son until survivors of the event began calling them to tell them about their son's actions. One of the survivors hiding alongside Shapiro later noted "Aner Shapira... saved our lives, and he deserves a medal of honor for being the angel who kept us safe".

Commemoration
Shapira was buried on 13 October 2023 at a military cemetery on Mount Herzi, and his parents released one of his original songs shortly after. His parents released additional music by Shapira in March 2024, with additions by Israel musician Sha'anan Street.

During Hanukkah, a poem by Israeli poet Zur Erlich was published, which commemorated Shapira's actions and linked the eight candles and days of Hanukkah to his efforts to protect the shelter. In December 2024, the actions of Shapira were commemorated by the Hapoel Jerusalem football team at the beginning of the match between them and Hapoel Tel Aviv team during the Israel Premier League. Shapira's song that was released shortly after his death was played at the start of the match with his paintings projected on screens around the stadium.