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JAFFA, ISRAEL – October 1, 2024 – In a horrifying terror attack late Tuesday night, seven lives were tragically cut short, and dozens were injured when two gunmen opened fire at a light rail station in Jaffa.
Among the dead are five victims whose names have been released: 42-year-old Ilya Nozadze, 24-year-old Revital Bronstein, 33-year-old Inbar Segev Vigdar, 40-year-old Nadia Sokolenko, and 30-year-old Shahar Goldman.
While the nation reels from the devastation, the attack has brought stories of heartbreak and heroism to light.
The gunmen targeted innocent civilians at the station, and the death toll is expected to rise as the Israeli medical authorities are still working to stabilize several critically wounded patients.
The horrific scene left six people in critical condition at Ichilov Medical Center, while twelve others, including a child, were rushed to Wolfson Medical Center.
The Israeli police and security services have launched a full investigation into the attack, which occurred amidst an already tense climate due to ongoing military operations in Gaza and the north.
This article remembers the victims who have been named so far, their stories, and the pain their families and communities are enduring.
Inbar Segev Vigdar, 33: A Mother’s Last Act of Love
The first victim to be named was 33-year-old Inbar Segev, a Tel Aviv resident and fitness instructor who owned a Pilates studio in the city center. Inbar’s final moments were marked by an extraordinary act of maternal instinct.
When the gunmen opened fire at the Jaffa light rail station, she was holding her nine-month-old son, Ari, who survived the attack without injury, shielded by his mother’s body.
Witnesses describe the chaos that ensued as gunfire erupted in the station. One woman, a fellow passenger on the light rail, recalled hearing Ari’s cries and seeing the harrowing scene.
“We heard the baby screaming. We pulled him out of the carrier. One of the policemen took me and the baby in a van to Wolfson [Hospital],” the woman said. Thanks to Inbar’s protective embrace, Ari was unharmed, though he will now grow up without his mother.
Inbar’s husband, Yaari Vigdar, is a soldier in the reserves currently fighting in Gaza and in the northern regions. Describing the panic he felt after receiving no response from his wife, Yaari told reporters that he rushed to the scene on his bicycle, desperately searching for her.
When he arrived, he found their family dog, shot and being tended to by passersby. Unable to locate Inbar, he continued searching the area before heading to the hospital, where he found their son safe in the care of medical staff.
The enormity of the loss is evident in Yaari’s words. “Ari was in a carrier that covered Inbar’s entire upper body during the attack, he was not injured at all. For the rest of his life – may he feel the same love he received from Inbar,” he said, reflecting on the love his wife showered on their child, even in her final moments.
Revital Bronstein, 24: A Rising Star in Technology and the Arts
Another victim of the Jaffa attack was Revital Bronstein, a 24-year-old from Bat Yam. Revital was in the midst of studying for her master’s degree in computer science, and she had already made a name for herself in her field.
Despite her young age, she had won prestigious awards for her work in computer science and artificial intelligence, fields where she was considered a rising star.
Beyond her academic accomplishments, Revital was a gifted comic artist, blending her technical brilliance with creative talent.
She was also an only child, intensifying the grief felt by her family and the tight-knit community that had watched her grow into an accomplished and driven young woman.
Bat Yam Mayor Zvika Brot shared his heartbreak over the loss of such a promising life, writing on social media: “Even when she was in high school, she won prestigious awards for her work in the fields of computer science and artificial intelligence. She was also a gifted comic artist.”
The loss of someone so young, filled with potential, has left many in the technology and artistic communities mourning a bright light extinguished far too soon.
Shahar Goldman, 30: A Dancer Who Captured the World’s Stage
Shahar Goldman, 30, was an internationally renowned dancer whose artistic talents captivated audiences across the globe.
Originally from Lod, Shahar’s career had taken her far beyond her hometown, yet she remained deeply connected to her roots and family. She leaves behind her husband, Tai, her three sisters—Esther, Dikla, and Merav—and her parents, Avraham and Ruth Goldman.
Described as an “outstanding international dancer” by Lod Mayor Yair Revivo, Shahar had only recently celebrated her first wedding anniversary.
Her husband, family, and friends are now left to grapple with a devastating void, as they mourn the loss of a woman whose grace, talent, and passion for dance touched so many lives.
Shahar’s tragic death comes at a time when she was at the height of her career. The news of her passing has sent shockwaves through the international dance community, where she had built a reputation for excellence and artistry.
Friends and colleagues are paying tribute to her extraordinary talent, but it is her family who bears the brunt of the loss, as they try to come to terms with the unimaginable grief of losing her so suddenly.
Ilya Nozadze, 42: A Life Cut Short Far From Home
Ilya Nozadze, a 42-year-old Georgian citizen, was another victim of the attack. Not much is yet known about Ilya’s life or the circumstances that brought him to Jaffa, but his death has been confirmed by Israeli media outlets.
As a foreign national, his death has brought international attention to the terror attack, with Georgia expressing its condolences and outrage at the senseless violence that claimed one of its own.
Nadia Sokolenko, 40: A Mother and Immigrant Seeking a Better Life
Nadia Sokolenko, a 40-year-old immigrant from Moldova, was a mother of one, working hard to build a better future for her child in Israel.
Like many who have come to Israel from former Soviet states, Nadia sought a life of opportunity and safety. Her death has left her family shattered, as they mourn the loss of a mother who dedicated her life to ensuring her child’s future.
Her death highlights the diverse backgrounds of the victims, many of whom were immigrants or foreign nationals, drawn to Israel in search of opportunity, safety, or simply a new life. Now, that life has been cruelly taken away.
A Nation in Mourning
The Jaffa terror attack has plunged the nation into mourning, with communities across Israel grappling with the shock and sorrow of the event.
Vigils and memorials are being held in Jaffa, Tel Aviv, Bat Yam, and other cities where the victims lived and worked. The attack has also drawn strong international condemnation, as countries around the world express solidarity with Israel in the wake of the atrocity.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement condemning the attack and vowing to bring those responsible to justice. “Our hearts are with the victims and their families,” he said. “Israel will not rest until every terrorist involved in this attack is held accountable.”
The victims’ stories reflect the diversity of Israeli society, from young professionals and mothers to immigrants and foreign nationals. Their deaths are a stark reminder of the fragility of life in a country that has long been a target of terror attacks.
As the nation continues to grapple with the pain of this latest tragedy, there are also stories of survival and resilience.
From the mother who shielded her baby with her body to the bystanders and first responders who acted with courage in the face of chaos, the spirit of solidarity remains strong in Israel. But for the families and loved ones of the victims, the pain of loss will linger long after the headlines fade.