Nova investigation finds Deputy Commissioner Nivi Ohana identified irregular rocket fire, ordered immediate evacuation of the partygoers – preventing another 2,000 victims and hundreds of hostages.
The investigation into the largest and most brutal massacre in Israel’s history at the Nova music festival compound outlines the chain of events and failures that led to the fatal events of that day.
The results of the massacre at the party, leaving 378 civilians, policemen and soldiers dead, and 44 others taken hostage by the Hamas terrorist organization, could have been much worse.
At the beginning of the Hamas attack at 6:29 a.m., the commander of the Ofakim police station, Deputy Commissioner Nivi Ohana, was present at the Nova festival, recognized the unusual rocket fire and ordered the immediate evacuation of all the partygoers.
According to the investigation, his decision most likely prevented about 2,000 murders at the festival and hundreds more hostages, “The commander of the Ofakim station made a decision that most likely prevented the murder of an additional 2,000 Nova partygoers and hundreds more hostages. In many ways, and in addition to the bravery of the fighters and policemen, the Nova is a miracle.”
Another fateful decision made by the police on the ground that saved many lives was the opening of an improvised escape route in the area, towards Moshav Patish in the east. Many of the partygoers who remained in the compound ran there and survived.
