Investigators now estimate that Shapira’s actions directly saved more than 30 people.
Hezy Laing
Staff Sgt. Aner Shapira, from Rehovot, has become one of the most widely recognized civilian‑defense heroes of the October 7 attacks, with new testimonies continuing to shed light on the extraordinary courage he displayed in the bomb shelter near the Nova music festival.
As more survivors come forward, a fuller picture has emerged of a young man who repeatedly risked — and ultimately gave — his life to protect others.
According to multiple survivor accounts, Shapira, 22, positioned himself directly at the entrance of the shelter where roughly 30 civilians were hiding.
Hamas terrorists threw grenade after grenade inside, attempting to kill everyone trapped within.
Shapira reacted instantly, grabbing the explosives and throwing them back out before they could detonate. Witnesses say he did this not once or twice, but continuously — with estimates ranging from seven to more than ten grenades.
New revelations indicate that Shapira was not only acting with remarkable speed and clarity, but also while sustaining severe injuries.
Several survivors have stated that during the barrage, one of the explosions caused catastrophic damage to his hand.
Despite this, Shapira continued fighting, continued throwing grenades away from the civilians behind him, and continued shielding the shelter’s entrance.
His determination to protect those inside did not falter even after he was gravely wounded.
Survivors describe him giving instructions, calming people, and physically blocking the doorway so that incoming grenades would land near him rather than deeper inside the shelter.
His final act, according to multiple testimonies, was pushing away another grenade that exploded near him, saving the lives of those behind him.
Investigators now estimate that Shapira’s actions directly saved more than 30 people.
His bravery has been widely acknowledged in Israel, with many describing him as a symbol of self‑sacrifice and moral clarity in the face of terror.
As more details emerge, one theme remains constant: Aner Shapira chose, again and again, to put others before himself.
Even after sustaining a devastating injury, he continued fighting to protect the civilians around him — a level of courage that has left a lasting mark on all who survived because of him.
