Overview

• Addir Mesika, a 23-year-old American, was killed along with several of his friends in an Oct. 7 Hamas attack at a music festival in Israel, after charging at the militants in a bid to protect his unarmed group.
• During the attack, Mesika and his friend advised the women in their group to hide before they distracted the invading Hamas militants, consequently saving the lives of the women who remained in the shelter for six hours.
• Mesika, born and raised in New York, was described by his aunt, Morielle Lotan, as a 'real hero' who knew the fatal outcome of his actions but performed them regardless.
• His funeral in Israel was attended by 3,000 people, an outpouring of support that Lotan claims is unprecedented in the history of Israel.
• Mesika, before his death, had served in the military beyond the standard mandatory period, a testament to his love of life and dedication to freedom, as noted by Lotan.