79 Israeli civilians killed in terror attacks this year — Here are their names and stories

Since the last Yom Hazikaron on May 13, 2024, Israel has endured a relentless wave of terror attacks. Concurrent to the ongoing war, 79 civilian lives have been claimed in a year marked by grief, heroism, and resilience. From Hezbollah rocket barrages in the north to stabbings and shootings in the heart of urban centers, these attacks have left families shattered and communities mourning.

Since the establishment of Jewish settlement in Israel in 1851, 5,229 civilians have been killed in hostile acts, 4,503 since the state’s founding in 1948. Of those, 615 were men, 319 were women, and 800 were children and teens up to age 18. The stories below, drawn from the past year’s tragedies, highlight the personal toll of this violence, weaving together the lives of those lost and the courage of survivors.

A Year of Loss - Stories of Terror Attack Victims in Israel from the past year:

Inbar Segev-Vigder: A Mother’s Sacrifice in Jaffa

On October 1, 2024, Inbar Segev-Vigder, a 33-year-old mother from Jaffa, was among seven killed in a brutal shooting on the Tel Aviv light rail. As two Hamas operatives from Hebron opened fire, Inbar shielded her nine-month-old son, Ari, with her body, saving his life at the cost of her own. Her husband, Yeari, a Gaza reservist, told Ynet, “I had been serving in Gaza, and I came specifically to be with her for the birth.” Inbar’s heroism, shared by @Israel on X, has become a symbol of maternal love, with her community vowing to support Ari’s future.

Jonas Chrosis: A Young Life Stolen

Jonas Chrosis, a 26-year-old Greek-Israeli architecture student from Jerusalem, was also killed in the Jaffa attack on October 1, 2024. Described by a friend to Ynet as “the perfect combination of playful silliness and deep thoughtfulness,” Jonas’s vibrant spirit was extinguished by the same gunmen who took Inbar’s life. His death, one of seven in the attack, left a void in his tight-knit community, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offering condolences.

The Majdal Shams Tragedy: Twelve Young Lives Lost

On July 27, 2024, a Hezbollah rocket attack on a soccer field in the Druze village of Majdal Shams killed 12 children and teenagers, devastating the close-knit community. Among them were Fajr Laith Abu Saleh, 16, and his cousin Ameer Rabeea Abu Saleh, 16, both aspiring athletes; Hazem Akram Abu Saleh, 15, known for his kindness; and Alma Ayman Fakhr al-Din, 11, remembered for her bright smile. The attack, one of the deadliest in the north, prompted national mourning and calls for justice, as reported by the Times of Israel.

Noa and Nir Barness: A Couple’s Shared Fate

On July 9, 2024, Noa and Nir Barness, both 46, from Kibbutz Ortal on the Golan Heights, were killed in a Hezbollah rocket attack while tending to their farm. The couple, parents to three, were known for their deep connection to the land. A neighbor told Ynet, “They were the heart of our kibbutz, always helping others.” Their deaths left their children and community grappling with profound loss.

Ludmila Lipovsky: A Holocaust Survivor’s Final Tragedy

Ludmila Lipovsky, an 83-year-old Holocaust survivor from Herzliya, was stabbed to death on December 27, 2024, outside her assisted living complex. Transferred in critical condition to Sourasky Medical Center, she succumbed to her wounds. Her grandson shared on X, “She survived Auschwitz, only to be taken by terror in her own home.” Ludmila’s story underscores the enduring vulnerability of Israel’s elderly, even decades after surviving unimaginable horrors.

Yehoshua Aharon Tuvia Simcha: A Child’s Life Cut Short

Yehoshua Aharon Tuvia Simcha, a 12-year-old from Jerusalem, was killed on December 11, 2024, when a terrorist opened fire on a bus at Al-Khader Junction. Traveling with his family from Beitar Illit, Yehoshua was critically wounded and later died. His school principal told the Jerusalem Post, “He was a joyful boy, always eager to learn.” The attack shook Jerusalem, reigniting debates over security measures.

Revital Yehud and Dvir Sharvit: Partners Taken Together

On October 9, 2024, Revital Yehud, 45, and Dvir Sharvit, 43, partners from Kiryat Shmona, were killed in a Hezbollah rocket barrage while walking their dogs. Their deaths, reported by the Times of Israel, left their two children orphaned. A friend recalled, “They were inseparable, always laughing together.” The attack highlighted the relentless threat facing northern communities.

List of Civilian Victims killed in the past year (May 13, 2024 – April 30, 2025)

These 79 victims, from children playing soccer to elderly Holocaust survivors, reflect the indiscriminate nature of terror. Their stories, from Inbar’s sacrifice to Ludmila’s tragic end, underscore the human cost of violence and the resilience of a nation that honours their memory on Yom Hazikaron.