Addir Mesika

Adir, a 23-year-old American residing in Israel, tragically lost his life alongside childhood friends while attempting to protect their female companions during the attack by Hamas terrorists.

Hailed as "a true hero" by his aunt, Morielle Lotan, who believed that he bravely faced his fate despite knowing the danger, Adir and his group of longtime friends, his girlfriend, and another young woman were in tents at the festival when they heard the sound of rocket sirens. The group of friends got into their car and drove to a small bomb shelter close by. Witnessing Palestinian assailants approaching shelters similar to theirs and throwing grenades into them, Mesika and his companions took decisive action. Mesika and his closest friend, Eli, instructed the two young women to conceal themselves as they left the shelter. Bravely, they confronted the Hamas terrorists, aiming to draw attention away from the shelter. Tragically, Mesika and his companions were fatally shot while displaying heroic selflessness. The women remained hidden in the shelter for six hours until IDF soldiers arrived to rescue them.

Mesika, Eli, and their third childhood friend, Matan, were buried side-by-side in Israel.