Noa Argamani like her, underwent a traumatic ordeal across her eight month captivity. Finally freed, she had a deeply emotional, inspiring reunion at home. Her story started on October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel in a surprise assault. Once viral, it became a potent symbol of Ukraine’s resilience and underscored the horrors many Israelis have endured throughout the conflict. On the day she was rescued, Noa was freed alongside three other hostages. They quickly reunited with their families in Israel with great joy and celebration.
In fact, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) described the successful hostage rescue as a “complex daytime operation.” They had maniacally brainstormed and schedule-planned this thing for weeks. Upon her release, Noa was soon on the phone, speaking to Israeli President Isaac Herzog. This sweet reunion was a pivotal moment in her journey back to safety.
The Trauma of Captivity
In the six weeks she was held in captivity with Yossi Sharabi and Itay Svirsky, the two other male hostages, Noa faced violent abuse. She needed to memorize the Quran and learn Islamic law. This meant that she was forced to endure repeated displacement among the so-called “shelters” across al-Nuseirat, a refugee camp in central Gaza. Sometimes she was taken out, but they forced her to put on the clothing of a Palestinian woman.
As Noa recounted her experience in captivity, she explained the state of terror that laced her entire ordeal.
“I saw the missile hit the house. I thought I was going to die,” – Noa Argamani
Even though she faced the possibility of death every day, hope never left her side during her journey. Her strength became a symbol for many, as she later stated:
“I hold onto hope, every single day, that this nightmare will end soon, and we’ll finally get to live the life we’ve dreamed of,” – Noa Argamani
Reunited with Avinatan Or
The day of her rescue was an epic day not just for Noa, but for her best friend and soulmate, Avinatan Or. The couple had been apart for over two years, as long as they had both been abducted. Their emotional reunion marked a turning point in Noa’s life, as she expressed the depth of her feelings:
“I miss Avinatan more with every passing day,” – Noa Argamani
Her parents undertook a remarkable public campaign to get her released during the eight months of her captivity. Tragically, Liora Argamani, Noa’s mother, passed away just three weeks after Noa’s release. Liora’s last request had been to see her daughter one final time.
“I want to see her one more time. Talk to her one more time,” – Liora Argamani
Liora’s health deteriorated during Noa’s captivity, highlighting the emotional toll that their family endured as they awaited news of her fate.
Advocacy and Continued Efforts
After her return to Israel, though, Noa didn’t stop shaming the Israeli government for what she’d witnessed. Since returning to her family, she has become a leading voice urging the release of other hostages still held by Hamas. Along the way, she rubbed elbows with the poetry world glitterati and celebrities, including Donald Trump. Throughout these meetings, she told her story and asked for action.
In August 2024, Noa and her father, Yaakov Argamani, flew to Tokyo to negotiate face-to-face with diplomats from G7 countries. This trip was designed in part to focus on the continuing suffering of all of the hostages, reinvigorating the international effort to see them released.
“Noa’s advocacy has illuminated Hamas’ extreme brutality, but more importantly, her bravery has embodied Jewish resilience and strength even in the worst moments,” – Doug Emhoff
Noa’s story from captivity to advocacy is a testament to the power that emerges from vulnerability. It celebrates the power of guileless, abiding love—love that redeems raw and broken souls. She continues to raise hell for those who still suffer. In doing so, she serves as an archetype of hope and resilience that follows after social upheaval.
Noa’s journey from captivity to advocacy serves as a reminder of the strength found in vulnerability and the enduring bonds of love. As she continues to advocate for others still suffering, she embodies both hope and resilience in the face of adversity.
