Vandals Deface Memorial Photos of Israeli Women Killed on October 7 in Yokneam

In Yokneam, Israel, the memorial photos of three women, Shani Gabai, Adi Landman, and Rotem Levi, who were killed during the Hamas attacks on October 7, were vandalized at a soldiers' hitchhiking station on the city’s main entrance road. The Yokneam municipality condemned the act as "serious, ugly, and unacceptable," emphasizing the harm it causes to the memory of the victims and their families. The city pledged to work with law enforcement to identify and prosecute those responsible.

All three women lived in Yokneam Illit before their deaths. Shani Gabai and Rotem Levi were murdered at the Nova Festival, while Adi Landman, who served at the Nahal Oz military base, was killed during the Hamas assault on the base. Barak Landman, Adi’s father, expressed deep pain and anger over the desecration, stating that anyone capable of damaging the images of his murdered daughter has long lost their humanity. Ariella Levi, Rotem’s mother, also condemned the vandalism, calling it an attack not only on the photos but on the memory and humanity of the victims and their families.

The municipality reaffirmed its commitment to honoring the fallen and continuing efforts to preserve their memory amid ongoing grief and loss experienced by the families and community.