Nova Massacre Victim's Mother Confronts Ex-Intel Chief Over Lack of Answers

Shelly Meisel-Yogev, mother of 22-year-old Lihi Cohen-Yogev who was murdered at the Nova music festival on October 7, confronted former head of Military Intelligence, Major General (res.) Aharon Haliva, in a televised interview. Meisel-Yogev expressed her deep frustration that Haliva had not personally reached out to her family to offer condolences or answers.

"We have questions, I think we deserve answers," she stated, recounting a chance encounter with Haliva in a park where she challenged him for living nearby yet failing to visit. She contrasted his absence with the visit from IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, who, while not taking full responsibility, had visited with humility and inquired about her daughter.

Meisel-Yogev also spoke about the political implications, questioning how voters could support a government that has been in power for 15 years and was in charge on October 7. She admitted she is unsure how she would cope if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is re-elected, expressing doubts about her ability to continue living in Israel.

Haliva, who was the first senior military official to resign following the October 7 attacks, had stated in his resignation letter that the Intelligence Directorate under his command failed its mission and that he carries the pain of the war daily. Lihi Cohen-Yogev, a former operations sergeant and officer's course graduate, was traveling to the Nova festival when the Hamas attack began. She was killed by terrorists on Road 232 while trying to find shelter, telling her family she was losing blood and would die before her final moments were cut short by gunfire.