Those we have lost

Itay Zafrani, 35: Dad of toddler with a ‘big and true heart’

Murdered by Hamas terrorists while fleeing the Supernova music festival on October 7

Itay Zafrani (Courtesy)
Itay Zafrani (Courtesy)

Itay Zafrani, 35, from Eilat, was murdered by Hamas terrorists while fleeing the Supernova music festival on October 7.

He attended the rave with his friend Itzhak Gelerenter, and when the rocket fire began they left via car with Liraz Assulin and another partygoer. All four were shot dead in the vehicle as they approached the Mefalsim Junction.

Itay was buried in Jerusalem on October 11. He is survived by his wife, Inbal, their daughter Alma, 2, his parents, Michal and David and his siblings Osnat, Roni and Ori.

His rave companion Itzhak’s body was not found, and he was believed to have been taken hostage. In May 2024, IDF troops recovered his remains from the Strip and determined that he had been killed on October 7 and his body kidnapped.

Itay was born in Jerusalem, but grew up in Eilat, the second-oldest in his family, according to a state eulogy. As a child, he was active in the Bnei Akiva religious youth group and also played basketball in Hapoel Eilat throughout his youth. He was also an avid runner, taking part in many races.

During his mandatory army service, Itay served in the Military Police, working as an investigator. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the Peres Academic Center, and since 2019 worked as an operations manager at Oron Group Investments.

His uncle, Yair Maayan, described Itay on Facebook as “our dear and beloved nephew, a brilliant guy and a close friend. A hard worker and a very loving father to dear Alma. He was like a little brother to me.”

Itay’s sister, Roni, wrote on social media that she had no idea “how to go through this life without a big brother.”

“You were supposed to be here — to buy my first apartment with me, to smoke my first cigarette, to prepare me for my first promotion, to teach me how to be a manager, to convince me to take chances,” she wrote.

“You have jobs in this world that you left hanging,” Roni continued. “Who will protect me and check out the next potential guy? Make sure he won’t hurt me and break my heart again.”

Roni added, “I run from hearing your voice, I close my eyes to your videos – I’m scared to forget but I’m also scared that you’ll turn into a memory… You, who tried to hide it behind your well-known cynicism and your facade, had the most loving, big and true heart.”

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