Noa Argamani, who was recently freed after being held hostage by Hamas for 246 days, has spoken publicly for the first time since her return. Argamani, 26, was taken by Hamas militants during the attack on October 7 while attending the Nova music festival. She was held captive in Gaza before Israeli forces successfully rescued her.
In a video released by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, Argamani expressed profound relief at being back with her family, particularly her mother, who is battling stage 4 brain cancer. “It is a great privilege to be here after 246 days in Hamas captivity,” Argamani said. “It is a great privilege to be by my mother’s side after eight months of uncertainty.”
Argamani shared that her primary concern during captivity was her parents’ well-being. “As an only child to my parents, and a child to a mother with a terminal illness, my biggest worry in captivity was for my parents,” she stated.
She also highlighted the ongoing plight of other hostages, including her partner Avinatan Or, who remains in captivity. “I want to take this opportunity to remind everyone that there are 120 more hostages in Hamas captivity, and among them is Avinatan Or, my partner from whom I was separated at the moment of the abduction.”
Argamani’s message was a call to action: “Although I’m at home now, we cannot forget the hostages who are still in Hamas captivity, and we must do everything that’s possible to bring them back home.”
The October 7 attack by Hamas was marked by significant violence, with many women being targeted and subjected to sexual assaults. Gal Gadot, known for her role as “Wonder Woman,” has been vocal about this issue. In December 2023, she took to Instagram, urging global action. “We claim we stand against rape, violence against women. We will not let women be victimized and then silenced. We say we believe women. Stand with women. Speak out for women.”
Gadot specifically mentioned Shani Louk, a German-Israeli tattoo artist who was kidnapped during the attack. “Yet two months later women are still hostage to these rapists and the world has failed to call this situation what it is: an urgent emergency that demands a decisive response,” Gadot wrote.
Gadot called on the international community to act decisively. “This is our moment as women and allies of women to act. I am beseeching all those who have done so much for women’s rights globally – from the UN to the human rights community, to please join in the demand that Hamas release every single woman hostage immediately.”
Argamani’s statement and Gadot’s advocacy underscore the critical need for continued international pressure to secure the release of all hostages and address the severe humanitarian crisis.
