Her Sister was Murdered on October 7, She Became a Paramedic in Her Honor

The lives of thousands of families changed forever when their loved ones were murdered in the October 7 Massacre. Three years later, the world has moved on from the horrors of that day, but the families didn’t. Israel didn’t.

Since then, the IDF operates by the lessons learned from the October 7 Massacre. On a personal level, the images from that day are burned into the minds of Israelis and Jews across the world. 

There are moments where words fail, and actions become the key to survival. Some create, some advocate, some keep their loved ones’ memory alive by pursuing their paths. 

Gaya’s Story on October 7

Sergeant N. was still in high school when her older sister, Gaya, was murdered at the Nova music festival near Re’im on October 7. The festival was one of the sites targeted by terrorists during the massacre, where Israeli civilians were murdered and kidnapped.

She was at the party with her friend, dancing and enjoying the music until sunrise. At 6:29 a.m., sirens sounded as rockets were fired from Gaza. Thousands of people at the party lay on the ground, or began leaving the premises and running to nearby shelters to protect themselves from the assault. 

Romi and her friend attempted to drive away from the party, but couldn’t due to a traffic jam in the parking lot. Two hours after the assault began, partygoers noticed terrorists who infiltrated the area. They decided it would be safer to continue escaping on foot and ran to a nearby riverbank to hide in the bushes.

Meanwhile, a coworker of Gaya saved several people from the festival grounds. After he completed two rounds of rescues, he drove to their hiding place and picked them up alongside another partygoer who joined them in their hiding spot prior.

On their way to safety on route 232, the group encountered armed terrorists who began shooting at them. As SGT N. recalled, at that moment, Gaya called their father who was on his way to the area. “She told him they were shooting at her, and he could hear the gunfire through the phone. That was the last time my family heard her voice,“ she continued. Gaya was murdered on the spot. 

Sergeant N.’s Path 

During her military service Gaya served as a paramedic in an elite unit. She stayed in the army for seven months of career service, and was adored by her peers. Her commander described her as “the example of the standard of medical care a soldier in the IDF is expected to receive.”

“She wasn’t just my big sister, she was my inspiration,” said SGT N. During Gaya’s funeral, in her eulogy, she said: “As a little sister, all I ever wanted to be was you. You are a role model and my greatest inspiration…I am so grateful for the privilege of being proud that Gaya is my big sister.”

Sergeant N. at the Nova festival memorial, near Gaya’s board

After Gaya’s death, she struggled to move forward and didn’t know where to enlist. “I didn’t know how to move forward, but Gaya gave me direction. Following her into the Medical Corps wasn’t just a choice, it was a promise.”

And so, she decided to follow in her sister’s footsteps, and become a paramedic. “Long before I put on this uniform, my sister taught me what it means to save lives.”

As part of her role as a paramedic, SGT N. saves lives on the battlefield while risking her own life. “I couldn’t save my sister that morning. But every time I save someone else, I know she’s with me,” she shared. “She didn’t make it home. But because of the path she inspired me to take, I can help save others.”