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Care and Benefits for Survivors of the October 7 Festivals and Parties

Entitlements
Ms. Bela Ben-Gershon, Head of Emergency Preparedness, Resilience, and Mental Trauma, Mental Health Division, Ministry of Health;  Ms. Nufar Cain, Deputy Director for Emergency Preparedness, Resilience, and Mental Trauma, Mental Health Division, Ministry of Health
9 November 2025

Thousands of young people who attended festivals and parties in the south during the October 7 attacks were exposed to severe atrocities—some were killed, some injured, and some abducted to the Gaza Strip. To provide appropriate support for the survivors, the state developed a comprehensive support framework through collaboration between the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Welfare, and the National Insurance Institute. The Ministry of Welfare and Social Security coordinates government support for the survivors and oversees the provision of services. This support is delivered through inter-ministerial and cross-sector collaborations.

Main support services include:

  • Psychological care without bureaucracy: The 'Stress Protocol' defines a range of services provided without the need for documents or medical committee approvals. This procedure offers trauma-focused psychological care, including up to 24 therapy sessions, through the National Resilience Center.
  • Support and guidance for survivors: Provided through social services departments and the 'Yated' program, in coordination with government agencies, nonprofits, and relevant organizations.
  • Recognition as victims of hostile acts: The National Insurance Institute recognizes survivors as victims of hostile acts, making them eligible for treatments and complementary medicine services.
  • 'Yuvalim' Initiative: Offers various supports, including employment guidance and academic counseling.
  • Support for sexual assault survivors: Therapeutic and support services for victims of sexual abuse.
  • Suicide prevention: The national suicide prevention program has been adapted to meet survivors’ needs, including "gatekeeper" training and the creation of a structured therapeutic continuum.

On October 7, 2023, a severe terrorist attack occurred in the Gaza Envelope, targeting festival participants and partygoers. People from the 'Nova' and 'Psydec' festivals, part of the 'Midburn' community, as well as attendees at a beach party at Zikim Beach, faced horrific violence. Thousands of young people who had come to celebrate and enjoy the music found themselves in turmoil. In the early morning hours, terrorists attacked the festival and party venues, opening fire on attendees, which led to injuries and deaths, with some individuals abducted to the Gaza Strip.

The State of Israel quickly mobilized to provide support for the survivors and their families, establishing a comprehensive state response. Information about healthcare benefits and services offered by the Ministry of Health and other agencies for survivors is compiled here to help them access the necessary support.

Common symptoms among survivors

Many survivors have gone through severe traumas that can impact their mental and physical health. The therapy services created for them are designed to address the specific issues this group faces. Many survivors deal with various psychological and physical symptoms, such as:

  • High levels of psychological distress and severe post-traumatic stress symptoms
  • Intense emotions and major sleep problems
  • Loss of appetite or overeating
  • Trouble getting back to normal daily activities
  • A noticeable decrease in going out
  • Feelings of insecurity at home and in Israel overall
  • A significant increase in substance use and psychiatric medication
  • Anger outbursts, heightened alertness, and avoidance behaviors

These symptoms can sometimes show up after traumatic events. In many cases, they improve or even go away over time, especially with support from family and friends. However, if the distress continues or worsens and the symptoms keep disrupting daily life, it's important to know that there are therapy options available that can help.

Benefits and support for survivors

The Ministry of Welfare and Social Security manages state support for survivors and oversees the services provided. This support comes from collaboration between different ministries state agencies. The aim is to help all survivors and their families by offering services that meet their needs, creating a support system that ranges from compensation to rehabilitation. The focus is on strengthening recovery, restoring normal functioning, preventing health issues from getting worse, and building resilience at the individual, family, and community levels.

Three main agencies lead government support for survivors: the National Insurance Institute, the Ministry of Welfare and Social Security, and the Ministry of Health. There are also other support options currently available.

If you are dealing with emotional distress, remember that you don't have to go through it alone. There are specialized mental health services for survivors affected that day.

Key mental health support and therapies

The "StressProtocol" is a joint program by the Ministry of Health and the National Insurance Institute that provides mental health support following security-related events, without requiring documents or medical board endorsements. This protocol defines a package of services for immediate therapeutic intervention, aimed at reducing mental distress and preventing the development of chronic post-traumatic symptoms. The service includes individual, group, and family therapy for survivors of the festivals and parties affected by the October 7 attack, delivered by licensed therapists through the National Resilience Center.

What the service includes:

  • Up to 36 in-person or online therapy sessions.
  • From October 1, 2025, up to 24 sessions will be provided. In complex cases of post-trauma, an additional 12 sessions may be offered, depending on eligibility.

Therapist team: The National Resilience Center works with several therapy organizations. Many therapists have experience working with the target population, focusing on severe trauma and minimizing psychedelic-related harm.

More information: National Resilience Center, phone: *5486 and on the National Insurance website.

  • Community Trauma Treatment Centers: Operate within hospitals.
  • Mental Health Clinics at HMOs: For help coordinating care and accessing HMO benefits, you can use this online form.
  • Balancing Homes: Intensive treatment aimed at emotional stabilization and preventing psychiatric hospitalization. More information on balancing homes
  • Psychiatric Admission: For cases requiring intensive care and 24-hour supervision. Intended for managing severe symptoms. More information on Psychiatric Admission
  • Assistance Hotline: Operated by ERAN: 1-800-201-201
  • Support for Professional Teams: Professionals who work with survivors receive specialized training through the National Suicide Prevention Program.

  • Ongoing Support through Local Authorities: Available at Social Services Departments.
  • Dedicated Team within the 'Yated' Program: A national program supporting young people in complex life situations. The team coordinates all services for survivors, helps them claim their benefits, realize their potential, and supports their integration into society and the community. More about the 'Yated' Program
  • "Wrapped in Light" Website: A dedicated information portal on benefits and services for survivors and their families. Visit "Wrapped in Light"
  • Collaboration with the Nova Community: Aims to coordinate individual needs of survivors and support the community. Visit the Nova Community
  • Collaboration with the Jewish Agency’s Fund for Victims of Hostile Acts: Provides rehabilitation grants to survivors with psycho-social support, without requiring medical committee endorsement. Visit the Fund for Victims of Hostile Acts

The National Insurance Institute’s initial contact with survivors began immediately after October 7 and continues on an ongoing basis, including the following services:

The 'Yuvalim' project is a dedicated program of carefully selected services for survivors of the festivals and parties, in partnership with the Ministry of Welfare, the National Insurance Institute, and The Joint Ashkelon. The program offers a variety of accessible services for young people, tailored to the developmental challenges of early adulthood. Services include:

  • Guidance and support for re-entering the workforce and developing a professional career.
  • Support and guidance for academic studies and higher education.
  • Assistance for family members and the social circle of survivors.
  • Group and community meetings and activities.
  • Body-mind therapies and a range of activities in nature, therapeutic spaces, and retreats.

More information on the National Insurance website

More information on the "Wrapped in Light" website

Survivors of sexual assault can get extra specialized support:

  • Support and therapy groups at Sexual Trauma Assistance Centers: These groups are meant for survivors, their parents, partners, and other family members. A new support group for female survivors of festivals and parties who have experienced sexual assault will soon be started, led by the Yovalim Project and co-facilitated by the "Lev B’toch" organization and the "HaSharon" Assistance Center. Male survivors can join various support programs available nationwide.

  • Therapeutic services at Trauma Treatment Centers: This network includes services in hospitals, mental health clinics, stabilization homes, and more, where survivors can get help after experiencing sexual trauma.

The national program for preventing suicide among festival and party survivors

The National Suicide Prevention Program in Israel was started in 2013 to lower suicide rates using various proven strategies. After the tragic terror attack on October 7, 2023, the program was updated to offer focused mental health support for survivors of the festivals and parties that took place in the south that day.

What the support includes

  • Structured therapeutic pathway: A professional protocol was created for cases where there is a suspected risk of suicide. This protocol is shared with professionals to ensure a responsible and customized response.

  • 'Gatekeeper' training for care teams: Training sessions were held for staff at the 'Nova Tribe' community and the 'Arena Stabilization Center,' as well as for employees in the Rehabilitation Department of the National Insurance Institute and the Victims of Hostile Acts Department. More training sessions are planned.

  • Training for survivors and their families: Lectures and workshops, both online and in-person, were conducted to help family members recognize warning signs and respond effectively.

  • Ongoing professional consultation for teams: A senior psychologist from the program supports the care team at the 'Nova Tribe,' assisting them in managing complex cases of distress.

  • Post-suicide event support: Targeted interventions within the Nova Tribe team aim to help with emotional processing and reduce the risk of suicide contagion.

  • Inter-ministerial coordination: There is ongoing communication with the Ministry of Welfare’s liaison for festival survivors to encourage further collaboration and expand the support network.

The National Suicide Prevention Program is a key part of the national response for survivors of these traumatic events, focusing on early intervention, emotional support, and community training to identify and help individuals in distress.

 

Assistance in coordinating care and claiming benefits

Anyone who went to a festival or party in the Gaza envelope and was impacted by the events on October 7 can fill out a request form to get help with care coordination and claiming HMO benefits.

If you are feeling distressed, it's advised to reach out to a family doctor or one of the mental health support centers.

More information on the government services website

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