Israel: Hamas Kills Journalists Shai Regev and Ayelet Arnin in Supernova Music Festival Massacre
The Coalition For Women In Journalism sends our deepest condolences to their loved ones and condemns Hamas for its horrific assault
Location: Israel, Re’im
Date: October 7, 2023
Hamas militants, perpetrating indiscriminate violence, killed over 200 festival goers at the Supernova rave in southern Israel, including journalists Shai Regev and Ayelet Arnin. The Coalition For Women In Journalism mourns the loss of these two young journalists who were at the beginning of their careers before being brutally murdered in this vicious attack by Hamas. We condemn these horrific killings and demand an immediate end to hostilities and the targeting of civilians.
On October 7, 2023, as dawn broke, the Supernova music festival was in full swing when motorized paragliders were spotted approaching from the direction of Gaza. Thousands of young people attended the event, which was held at Kibbutz Re’im, near the Gaza border. The paragliders were operated by Hamas militants who stormed the festival grounds. Initially, some attendees mistook the rocket noise for part of the music, but chaos soon engulfed the scene. About 50 militants shot indiscriminately. Desperate festivalgoers attempted to escape while facing gunfire from militant-occupied vehicles. The attack resulted in numerous casualties. Approximately 260 people are confirmed dead.
Shai Regev, a 25-year-old entertainment reporter, was murdered at the festival. The promising entertainment reporter, known for her work as an editor for TMI, was confirmed dead on October 14, 2023, after a week of anguish for her loved ones.
Her mother last spoke to her daughter on the morning of the attack. “She said, 'Mom, we're trying to fly out of here. We got into the cars, but there's a crazy traffic jam,'” her mother recalled days after the massacre when she had still no answers about Regev’s whereabouts. “She said, 'Mom, I love you,' and the conversation ended. Shai is the most responsible girl in the world. If she could, she would call me in seconds.”
After confirmation of her death, grief and anger reverberated through the ranks of Ma’ariv. Editor-in-chief Golan Bar-Yosef issued a poignant statement denouncing the senseless violence that claimed Regev's life. "The cursed terrorists, animals, destroyed the life of our Shai — talented, creative, and full of love," declared Bar-Yosef. "We will always remember your magical smile," he added, encapsulating the profound sorrow gripping the newsroom.
Among those profoundly affected by Regev’s loss was Noa Rachamim, a close friend of the journalist and fellow TMI editor. In an emotional tribute to her departed colleague, she shared the anguish that permeated the TMI team. "The staff is struggling to accept and absorb this horrible news about the death of our Shai, who was a major pillar of all TMI activities and our success," Rachamim expressed. "Today we lost not just a dedicated professional but also a real friend and a huge light, whose loss we will feel with every word and letter we write."
Ayelet Arnin, a 22-year-old news editor with the country's public broadcaster, Kan, was also killed at Supernova. Her death was confirmed by a close friend who was with Arnin at the music festival, who relayed the devastating news to her parents.
Elon Baruch, the spokesperson for Kan's News Division, expressed deep grief over Arnin’s loss. In a statement, he said, "The Israel Broadcasting Corporation is saddened by the murder of our friend, Ayelet Arnin, an employee of the corporation, a sub-editor in the news division, in an attack by Hamas terrorists in the south. We share in the deep sorrow of the family members, her many friends, and colleagues. Ayelet was a symbol of professionalism, and diligence, and always strived for perfection in her work and was very much loved by all of us."
Ayelet Arnin was part of the Kan team for approximately a year, serving as a sub-editor for the evening news edition at Kan 11. She previously worked for Israeli Army radio, contributing as a digital editor, news editor, and editorial coordinator.
The recent escalation in the decades-long conflict between Israel and Palestine has resulted in immense loss of life. On October 7, Hamas breached the security fence around Gaza, which confines 2.3 million people, and proceeded to carry out a deadly assault on the Supernova festival and numerous Israeli towns and kibbutzim. They killed over 1,300 people, mostly civilians, and captured 199 hostages whom they took back to Gaza.
In retaliation, Israel initiated its largest-ever bombing campaign in the blockaded region, resulting in the deaths of at least 2,800 Palestinians. The Israeli government also initiated a siege on Gaza, cutting off fuel, power, food, and water to the region. As a result, Palestinians in Gaza are running out of necessities and hospitals have dwindling supplies.
The Israeli bombardment on the strip continues, exacerbating the humanitarian crises. United Nations experts stress that indiscriminate violence against innocent civilians, whether by Hamas or Israeli forces, is a violation of international law and constitutes a war crime.
Since Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, at least 17 journalists, including three women journalists, have been killed in the conflict. The overwhelming number of these deaths have occurred in Gaza, where Israel has continued its relentless bombing campaign of the strip in retaliation for Hamas’ attack. Two women journalists, Al Jazeera's Carmen Joukhadar and Christina Assi, a reporter with AFP, were also injured in an Israeli airstrike in south Lebanon. Palestinian journalist Yara Eid was critically wounded in an Israeli airstrike on her Gaza home. As the conflict rages on and attacks continue, the number of deaths and injuries is likely to rise.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is horrified by Hamas’ killing of Israeli journalists Shai Regev and Ayelet Arnin. We offer our heartfelt condolences to their family and loved ones. The killings of hundreds of people attending a music festival are not a legitimate target in a conflict. Targeting civilians is a war crime. We vehemently condemn Hamas’ indiscriminate attack and demand its militants are held responsible.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism urges both Israel and Hamas to cease all hostilities immediately. The senseless killings of civilians in this conflict must stop. We also urge the Israeli government to lift its siege on Gaza and allow humanitarian aid to enter.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
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