Arab-Israeli medic stayed to help wounded at festival massacre – then was shot dead by Hamas
An Arab-Israeli paramedic who helped to treat wounded survivors at the desert music festival massacre was shot dead by Hamas militants, his family has revealed.
Awad Darawashe, 22, was manning a first aid tent at the Supernova festival, when Hamas launched its deadly attack In the early hours of 7 October.
His ambulance was captured by the militants and driven back to Gaza with hostages inside, his cousin, Kazim Khalileh, told The Independent.
Mr Darawashe, from Iksal – a small Arab-majority town near Nazareth – was seen treating victims with gunshot wounds just moments before militants completely overran the overnight rave.
He stayed behind to treat the injured: a fatal decision, as he was shot in the chest and in the stomach
“When the sirens went off, Awad refused to run away, he wanted to stay and help the injured people,” said Kazim.
“It’s a natural instinct to run but Awad stayed, by that time many people Hamas had injured went to his tent.
“My cousin, a Muslim, didn’t run away, he stayed to help everyone and Hamas just shot him - I later learned he was hiding under the DJ stand. He was a hero.”
Kazim said his brother identified the body after Awad’s mother was asked to do a DNA test.
“My family will never be the same again,” he said. “I do not wish for any mother around the world to feel what my aunt feels now.”
Kazim was in disbelief when he saw television pictures of Hamas driving around southern Israel with weapons. “I thought it was fake news,” he said.
Hamas militants stormed a border fence at 80 points after launching a barrage of rockets, according to the Israeli military and witness accounts. They raided towns and villages, killing at least 1,400 people – including as many as 260 at the Supernova festival. Israel says 222 hostages were taken into Gaza, including women, elderly and the sick.
Kazim said his family panicked when they could not get through to Awad by phone but saw a video shared on Hamas social media networks showing his ambulance being driven into Gaza.
Awad was a paramedic and the driver for the Yossi ambulance service “so we thought Hamas took him to Gaza,” Kazim added.
In desperation, Kazim searched hospitals for his cousin and found a man who had also been at the festival. “I showed him a photo of Awad and asked if he’d seen him. The man’s face dropped down. I begged him to tell me what he knew. He said that saw Awad but unfortunately Hamas shot him twice – he saw it with his eyes.”
Kazim waited until it was officially confirmed, two days later, before telling Awad’s mother.
He said he has been horrified by the response from the Arab world that has not condemned the horrific violence of 7 October.
“My cousin was one of many Arabs killed by Hamas, one of 40 I think, Hamas didn’t care. They are not the real Islam, I am a real Muslim, my cousin Awad was.”
“No country is perfect and of course we argue politically like most other countries but I am tired of people telling us how they think Arabs are treated in Israel.”
Thousands of Israelis, Arab, Jews, Druze and Christians poured onto the streets to honour Awad at his funeral.
“I didn’t know whether to cry or be happy. But I want the world to remember my cousin Awad.”
