Hezi Shahani From Kibbutz Nahal Oz on October 7th | Kan 7.10.360

Hezi (Yehezkel) Shahani (32) moved to Nahal Oz four years before the attack as part of a student community while studying computer science at Sapir College. After being diagnosed with cancer, the kibbutz community rallied around him, raising funds for the expensive medication he needed. Hezi began experimental treatment and moved in with his parents in Ofakim. On October 1st, having completed a series of treatments, he returned to Nahal Oz. On the morning of the attack, Hezi wakes to the sound of red alert sirens. He quickly realizes that something extraordinary is unfolding. He shuts the iron window of his safe room and brings his dog, Balu, inside. Still weak from his recent treatments, he braces himself for what lies ahead

Sharon Fiorentino, wife of Kibbutz' Ravshatz (Military Ongoing Security Coordinator), Ilan Fiorentino, posts on the community WhatsApp group, a warning that terrorists have entered the kibbutz’s newly built neighborhood and urging armed residents to join the fight. Another resident reports that the terrorists are attempting to break into the Sharon' home. Despite his weakness from treatment, Hezi grabs his gun and an extra cartridge and rushes to the scene

Near the Fiorentino family home, Hezi hears voices speaking Hebrew and realizes they are Israeli security forces. He approaches them, calling out, "I'm a Jew, a Jew! An Israeli, an Israeli!" Yet despite his pleas, the soldiers mistake him for a terrorist and fire three shots, all of which miss. Desperate to prove he is a kibbutz resident, Hezi keeps trying to explain himself. The soldiers confiscate his weapon, order him to stay in the safe room of a nearby house, and warn him not to leave the protected space due to the ongoing battles in the kibbutz

Following the officials' orders, Hezi remains alone in the safe room, without electricity, water, or any way to contact his family, having left his phone at home. After about an hour, he decides to leave and steps out of the safe room. Despite his weakened state, he makes his way back home, moving slowly but steadily until he reaches his house

Hezi joins the kibbutz’s WhatsApp group to stay updated on the developing situation. He also notifies the family whose safe room he had used, assuring them that it was him, not the terrorists who had been in their home. He remains in his safe room with his dog for the rest of the day, watching the news and keeping in touch with his family in Ofakim

Throughout the day, Hezi hears gunfire and voices speaking in Arabic outside his home. Around 2 p.m., a loud banging on his door startles him. Fearing terrorists are trying to break in, he listens closely—then hears Hebrew. It is a Givati task force patrolling the area, moving house to house to clear the kibbutz. To mark his home as secure, the soldiers break the shutters of one of the home's windows

Hezi remains in the safe room until late at night. Around 2:30 a.m., he hears voices calling out his neighbors' names. Though his name isn’t mentioned, he steps outside and finds soldiers coordinating the kibbutz's evacuation. He helps direct them to nearby homes before returning to pack a bag. He then joins other kibbutz members on a bus to Kibuutz Mishmar HaEmek, getting off at Gilat Junction, where his father picks him up and drives him to Ofakim