Awad Darawshe was 25 years old on October 7.
An Arab-Israeli paramedic who dreamed of becoming a doctor, Awad was working at the Nova festival when Hamas attacked.
As the massacre unfolded, he carried the wounded to the medical tent and treated patient after patient. When the gunfire became overwhelming, the medical team fled. Awad helped others escape—but refused to leave.
There were wounded people who couldn’t run.
Awad stayed and continued treating them.
Hamas terrorists eventually murdered him inside the medical tent. When his body was recovered, bandages were still in his hands. Some of the people he treated survived.
Thousands, Muslims, Jews, Christians, Druze and Circassians, came to mourn him. His father called Awad “our light.”
On one of Israel’s darkest mornings, Awad had the chance to run.
He stayed because wounded people needed him.
May the light and courage of Awad Darawshe never be forgotten.