Idan Shtivi, kidnapped from Nova festival on Oct. 7 declared dead, body held in Gaza

Idan Shtivi was one of the 101 hostages still in Hamas captivity since last October but his family was uncertain whether he was alive or dead.

On Monday morning, one year after the Hamas massacre on Oct. 7, they received the devastating news that their son had been murdered, along with his friends, and that his body had been abducted into Gaza. 

Shtivi (28) an amateur photographer and sustainability student at Reichman University in Herzliya, was asked to take pictures at the Nova Music Festival by some friends conducting workshops there. He arrived at the party grounds with friends that morning, just as the Hamas attack began. 

Together with his friends, Shtivi helped two other people escape the festival grounds. They drove north to escape the rocket fire but were met by terrorists, who opened fire on them. Shtivi turned the car around, hoping to find another route out of the area.

While his friends were known to have been murdered that morning, Shtivi was initially considered missing. In early January, his family was officially informed that he had been kidnapped. 

We are heartbroken to report that it has been confirmed that Idan Shtivi was murdered by Hamas terrorists on October 7th, 2023 and his body is being held hostage in Gaza. Until now, he was believed to be alive. May his memory forever be a blessing. 🕯️ pic.twitter.com/MBTHk9Eady

— StandWithUs (@StandWithUs) October 7, 2024

The Hostages and Missing Family Forum announced Shtivi's murder on Monday morning.

This death was determined by an expert committee from the Israeli Ministry of Health, in cooperation with the Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Israel Police, based on IDF intelligence information. 

The municipality of Petah Tikva, where Shtivi lived, also announced his death in a statement on Monday.

“With great sorrow and immense pain, we were informed of the murder of a resident of Petah Tikva, Idan Shtivi, by Hamas on the morning of Simchat Torah, 10/7/2023. His body was kidnapped and is being held in Gaza.” 

Idan’s father, Eli Shtivi, said he is unable to accept the news. 

Eli said when he first received the call to come to his ex-wife’s house, he thought he was about to find out that Idan had been rescued.

“I'm still not digesting it,” Shtivi told N12 News. “I will continue to fight, because we have another 100 abductees who are still there, to bring them back. This is our victory.” 

Eli Shtivi said he hopes “for unity among the people and unity in the government because we are in a war of existence and people are still fighting each other. If my son is gone, then at least, let the people unite.” 

When announcing his death, the Hostages and Missing Family Forum stated: “We share the family's deep sorrow. Idan Shtivi loved nature, photography and animals. Idan was very attached to dogs and animals and was supposed to begin his second year studying sustainability and government at Reichman University. Idan always thought of others and sacrificed himself for the sake of others.” 

“On October 7, Idan arrived at the Nova Festival in the early morning hours to document his friends who were playing and giving workshops, but did not manage to enter. When the attack began, Idan helped a guy and a girl he first met at the site escape, a choice that eventually led to his abduction,” the Forum said in its statement.