7.10 massacre: Matan survived after hiding for 8 hours on Zikim Beach

Matan Shlomo and his cousin Ro'i Nachum survived the massacre on Zikim Beach on October 7 after hiding in a bush for eight hours. The cousin was seriously wounded in the face. Matan was recognized as a victim of hostilities but is fighting with the National Insurance Institute over the disability percentage set for him, and criticizes the military for omitting his name and the names of the soldiers who rescued him from the investigation.

Matan Shlomo and his cousin Ro'i Nachum survived the massacre on Zikim Beach on October 7, 2023. The two had arrived at the beach the previous night to fish, and at 6:29 AM, with the start of rocket barrages, they decided to stay. Within minutes, they spotted a boat with terrorists approaching the shore, and the beach became a battlefield involving fire from the sea, rockets, and mortar shells. The two tried to flee toward the border but returned to the beach. During the battle, Ro'i was hit in the face by a bullet and seriously wounded. They hid in a bush for eight hours as terrorists approached the area. Rescue arrived only around 1:40 PM. Matan gave his vehicle to evacuate wounded soldiers and civilians. Now, nearly three years later, Matan is unemployed, recognized as a victim of hostilities with 72% temporary disability, and is fighting the National Insurance Institute over the disability rating. He criticizes the military for omitting his name and the names of the soldiers who rescued him from the investigation of the events on the beach.