MEAWW.COM / NEWS / CRIME & JUSTICE

Who was Lotan Abir? Utah man, 24, among dozens massacred by Hamas in Israel rave attack

Lotan Abir was killed at a rave in southern Israel early Saturday when Hamas militants stormed the event following his relocation to Utah in late 2022

BY ANNA MATHEW

PUBLISHED OCT 11, 2023

Lotan Abir moved to Utah in late 2022 following the completion of his military service in Israel (@CollinRugg/X/ Avremi Zippe/FB)

ISRAEL: Lotan Abir, a 24-year-old, was one of the over 260 music festival attendees who experienced the violence unleashed by the Palestinian militant group on Saturday, October 7.

After his recent move to Utah, he was relishing the company of friends from the nearby Jewish community when the Palestinian militant group unexpectedly descended on a desert rave in Israel via paragliders.

Rabbi Avremi Zippel remembered Abir as the kind of person "that you would want to call your friend.”

Lotan Abir, who was new to the Beehive State, was one of the more than 260 music festival revelers who were slaughtered by Hamas fighters at a rave (Avremi Zippel/Fb) — Lotan Abir was one of the over 260 music festival attendees who were slaughtered by Hamas fighters at a rave (Avremi Zippel/Fb)

Lotan Abir remembered as 'kind and innocent soul'

Abir moved to Utah in late 2022 following the completion of his military service in Israel. During this summer, he returned to Israel to participate in various events, as Zippel had shared.

Amid the chaos and gunfire, two of his friends managed to escape, but Abir went missing, and it wasn't until the following Sunday that officials confirmed his demise.

🚨 Hippies running for their lives as 250 slaughtered at rave party in Israel...😱 👑🐝 #factassin pic.twitter.com/AzrnAzWjsI
— Murphy’s Law a.k.a. the Queen Bee (@aka_theQueenBee) October 9, 2023

“He ultimately gave up his life for the sake of our people at a rave while celebrating some of his greatest passions in life. … Just a kind, sweet, fun-loving, innocent soul who was massacred by a terrorist.”

Hamas soldiers paraglided into a rave party while everyone stands by wondering what is happening, moments before they open fire.#Israel #Palestina #Hamas #IDF #IsraelUnderAttack #IsraelPalestineWar #Palestine #PalestineUnderAttack #WarNews pic.twitter.com/o3CcVlJsaW
— War Report (@cveks) October 8, 2023

Israeli Defense Forces impose blockade on Gaza

The attack by the Palestinian militant group resulted in the loss of at least 14 American lives and led to the deaths of over 1,000 Israelis, as well as the abduction of numerous individuals.

In response to the promise of "mighty vengeance" from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel initiated retaliatory strikes in the Gaza Strip.

Palestinian citizens inspect the damage to the Al-Sussi Mosque and their homes following Israeli air strikes in the Al-Shati Palestinian refugee camp on October 09, 2023 in Gaza City, Gaza. Almost 500 people have died in Gaza after Israel launched sustained retaliatory air strikes after Saturday's attack by Hamas. (Photo by Ahmad Hasaballah/Getty Images) — The attack by the Palestinian militant group resulted in the loss of at least 14 American lives (Ahmad Hasaballah/Getty Images)

The leader of the Israeli Defense Forces has issued a warning about the possibility of imposing a blockade on Gaza.

"I have ordered a complete siege on the Gaza Strip. There will be no electricity, no food, no fuel, everything is closed,” said Israel's Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. "We are fighting human animals and we are acting accordingly."

Lotah Abir's friends mourn his loss

Elad Ogorek, a friend of Abir who also resides in Utah said, "We knew it was going to be bad news; we didn’t know what type of bad news it was gonna be. We actually said ourselves, and asked each other, ‘What’s better — to get kidnapped to Gaza or just die?’” Salt Lake Tribune reports.

Ogorek recalled his pal's kind heart and willingness to help others. “He died doing a thing we all like to do: to dance and enjoy our freedom,” he said.