Hamas attack survivor to represent Israel at Eurovision

A survivor of the 7 October Hamas attack has been chosen to represent Israel at Eurovision.

Yuval Raphael was at the Nova music festival when Hamas led a cross-border attack from Gaza into southern Israel.

Hundreds were killed and many were taken hostage at the event.

The amateur singer was there with friends and later told Israel’s parliament she hid under dead bodies for eight hours.

She added: “I’m going to deal with this thing for the rest of my life.”

The 24-year-old earned her place at Eurovision, taking place in Switzerland in May, after coming first in the Rising Star singing contest on Israeli TV.

She won with a performance of ABBA’s Dancing Queen which she dedicated to victims of the attack which kick-started the war between Israel and Hamas.

After winning, she said: “I can’t explain how excited and ready I am.

“Thank you for giving me this huge honour and trusting me to represent my country on the grand Eurovision stage in Switzerland.”

In the months since the 2023 attack, which killed over 1,200 people, Israel has killed over 45,000 people in Gaza, according to the health ministry which doesn’t distinguish between fighters and civilians.

Around 90% of the enclave’s population of 2.3 million people are said to have been displaced.

A ceasefire was recently agreed for the conflict in Gaza, and will see the return of hostages and prisoners.

Last year’s Eurovision was overshadowed by the war in Gaza, with large demonstrations protesting against Israel’s participation, and the country’s representative was kept under tight security throughout.

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