Noa Argamani, who was recently rescued after being held captive by Hamas for 246 days, publicly shared her experiences and concerns on Saturday. Argamani was abducted on October 7 while attending the Nova music festival and endured months of captivity in Gaza.
During her first public appearance since her rescue, Argamani spoke in a video released by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum. She expressed immense relief at being reunited with her family, especially her mother, who is battling stage 4 brain cancer. “It is a great privilege to be here after 246 days in Hamas captivity,” she said. “It is a great privilege to be by my mother’s side after eight months of uncertainty.”
Argamani’s primary concern during her 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 shared.
Argamani also highlighted the ongoing crisis, mentioning 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.”
Her message was clear: the fight to bring all hostages home must continue. “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,” Argamani urged.
The October 7 attack by Hamas specifically targeted women, many of whom suffered violent sexual assaults. Actress Gal Gadot drew attention to this in December 2023, writing on Instagram, “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 emphasized the urgency of the situation, referencing Shani Louk, a German-Israeli tattoo artist kidnapped by Hamas. “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,” she wrote.
Gadot’s plea continued: “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 highlight the critical need for international action to address the plight of hostages and ensure their safe return.
