Aner Shapira, hy"d: IDF Probe Says He Threw Back 10–11 Grenades From the 'Death Shelter'—Even After an RPG Severed His Hand

An IDF investigation into the 'death shelter' was released today (Thursday), adding an important layer to understanding one of the most notable acts of heroism of October 7—the story of Nahal Reconnaissance Unit soldier Aner Shapira, hy"d. The findings, recently shared with his family, focus on the dramatic moments in which he fought to save the lives of dozens who were hiding there.

According to testimony gathered by the IDF, along with material from the scene and interviews with survivors, Shapira repeatedly pushed back grenades that Hamas terrorists threw into the shelter. The key new detail in the probe concerns the scope of his actions and the moments after his severe injury: according to the findings, he managed to throw back between 10 and 11 grenades, tossing the last two after he was hit by an RPG round.

His mother, Shira Shapira, described the findings in an interview with Israel Army Radio: "Aner threw 10 grenades, maybe 11. He threw the last two outside after he was wounded by an RPG — one of his hands was already gone". According to her, for the family the investigation reinforces their understanding of Aner’s character: "We know this from the IDF inquiry. His heroism is truly unfathomable. For him, heroism, creativity, responsibility, and caring are one and the same. These are not separate things. To be a creative person, an involved person, someone who cares — that is the same person who will stand and throw the grenades back out".

Aner’s father, Moshe Shapira, stressed that the family had already collected extensive testimony after the event, but the official probe clarified certain details: "The IDF presented us with the investigation; we are waiting for it to be released in full. The significant new point is that they said Aner pushed back 10–11 grenades, and that he pushed the last two after he was wounded by an RPG round. Beyond that, they didn’t add much. We spoke with all the witnesses, heard from the shelter’s survivors, listened to recordings; we essentially spoke with the IDF’s own sources. The number of grenades was new to us; at first we thought he had pushed back eight".

The events of that morning in Re’im are etched in the public memory: Hamas terrorists threw grenades into the shelter where many were hiding. In footage released later, Shapira is seen throwing the grenades back out, one after another — an act that saved the lives of many who were there.