Israel Selects Singer Who Hid Under Bodies During Hamas Attack to Perform at Eurovision

A singer who survived the devastating Hamas attack at the Nova music festival by hiding under dead bodies has been selected to represent Israel in the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest in Switzerland.

On Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas militants attacked the Nova music festival near Israel's Gaza border, killing over 360 attendees and taking 40 hostage.

Yuval Raphael, 24, survived by hiding under several lifeless bodies in a bomb shelter for eight harrowing hours, sustaining shrapnel injuries to her head and leg, the Times of Israel reported.

Since then, she has shared her story globally, including at the UN Human Rights Council, becoming a vocal advocate for Israel.

On Jan. 22, Raphael won the Israeli talent show HaKokhav HaBa, or "Rising Star," earning the honor of representing Israel at Eurovision in Basel.

In the competition's final round, she performed a ballad version of ABBA's "Dancing Queen," dedicating the song to the victims of the Nova festival.

Raphael's victory comes amid ongoing tensions over Israel's participation in Eurovision, which has faced boycotts and protests since the country's war with Hamas began, as reported by the BBC.

Raphael's Eurovision song will be selected in March. With the competition set for May, protests and heightened security for the Israeli delegation are anticipated, as seen in previous years.

Raphael has vowed to perform from a place of strength, sharing Israel's story through her music.