“Until he returns, my heart is in captivity” - A look back at a special hostage reunion

The story of sweethearts Avinatan Or and Noa Argamani, separated by Hamas on October 7th 2023

On 13 October 2025, 738 days after the Hamas terror attacks of 7 October 2023, all 20 remaining living hostages were finally released by Hamas as part of a US-led peace deal. We share the story of a couple reunited after both were taken hostage — it is just one of many stories from the hostages that describe the ordeal of those taken into captivity.

Avinatan and his girlfriend Noa were among 251 kidnapped from Israel on that fateful day. They were attending the Nova music festival when Hamas launched its attack. Noa said they were there to celebrate their life together; but their lives were about to be turned upside down by Hamas’s terror.

Noa and Avinatan hid from the terrorists during the attack. After several hours, Avinatan’s father managed to get through to him, and he replied, “We’re OK — I’ll call back in ten minutes.” That call never came.

Footage filmed by Hamas showed Avinatan and Noa being cruelly torn apart. Noa was flung onto the back of an all-terrain motorbike, crying out, “Don’t kill me!” The footage showed Noa hopelessly reaching out for him as they were being dragged away by terrorists.

During his time in captivity, Avinatan was held in total isolation for long stretches. For two years, he did not see other hostages and had very little information about events in Israel. According to reports, he was systematically starved and suffered severe malnutrition, losing between 30% and 40% of his body weight. Meanwhile, Avinatan had no awareness about the fate of his girlfriend, Noa. Held captive in Gaza for eight months, Noa was rescued by Israeli forces during the daring ‘Operation Arnon’ on 8 June 2024, along with three other hostages.

“We were taken to Gaza by force, separated, and entered hell on earth,” Noa said in an interview. “I held Avinatan’s hand as long as I could, but in one moment of terror, we were torn apart from each other and dragged into the unknown.”

“Every night I was falling asleep and thinking this may be the last night of my life; and until the moment I was rescued… I just did not believe that I’m still surviving,” she added.

Noa was moved multiple times. At one time she was held with two little girls, Hila Rotem and Emily Hand. “Emily was 8 years old at the time and Hila was 12. I had to be brave, not only for myself but also for the girls. I had to act as though everything would be all right, which is why I told them, ‘As long as we are here, together, alive in this room – nothing else matters.'”

In comments made to the mother of one of the other hostages, Noa said that the Israeli women were kept as slaves, “They cleaned the yard, did dishes and prepared food that they were not allowed to eat.”

She explained to the mother that her daughter, held at first in a “luxury villa,” was only allowed to shower after a month in captivity. Soon after, they were moved into Hamas’s underground terror tunnels. “Down there it was much worse — without fresh water and with very little food,” she said, adding that the hostages were not provided with clean clothes and had no way to wash and dry their garments and underwear.

The doctor treating the four female hostages, including Noa, said that they were beaten regularly during their captivity by their Hamas abductors.

Dr. Itai Pessach of Sheba Medical Center said that “the hostages suffered almost daily abuse and that their time in captivity was “a harsh, harsh experience.”

“Every hour brought physical, mental, and other forms of abuse — an experience beyond comprehension,” the doctor said, adding that the eight months the hostages spent in Hamas captivity “left a significant mark on their health,” despite their outward appearance of being in good shape.

“They had no protein, so their muscles are extremely wasted, there is damage to some other systems because of that,” he said, adding that the hostages had said the supply of food and water varied, and that they were moved a few times and dealt with by different guards.

Noa’s father and mother waited anxiously for news of their daughter, not knowing if she had survived October 7th, or whether she would ever return to Israel alive. During this time, Noa’s mother Liora was fighting a prolonged battle with brain cancer. Her final wish was to see her only child, Noa, one last time. In a heart-rendering video seen by millions worldwide, Liora appealed to world leaders: “I’m now a cancer patient, brain cancer. I don’t know how much time I have left,” her eyes reflecting a mixture of determination and despair. “I want to be able to see my Noa at home.”

It is comforting to know that Noa’s mother survived to see her daughter’s rescue 246 days after being taken hostage. She passed away just three weeks later.

This rescue allowed Noa to hug her mother once again. “Liora spent her final days alongside her daughter Noa, who had returned from captivity, and their close family,” the hospital stated, underscoring the very personal nature of their relief and their loss.

Amnon Regev, Noa’s cousin, captured the bittersweetness of the moment in an interview. “Noa couldn’t communicate with Liora, but she said she wanted one last hug, and I think she got it,” he said. “This was her victory and all of ours.”

The long-awaited, wordless reunion became a powerful symbol of the strength and determination shown by this family and all the families that fought on behalf of their loved ones through hardship, turmoil, and suffering.

Liora’s example of courage was certainly continued by her daughter, who became a voice on behalf of the remaining hostages and their families.

After her rescue, Noa travelled the world calling for action to be taken to free all remaining hostages, including her boyfriend Avinatan. She delivered speeches at the United Nations Security Council and the G7 Summit in Tokyo, and attended a joint session of Congress and met with President Trump in the Oval Office. Noa was included in the TIME ‘100 Most Influential People 2025’ list for her courage and advocacy.

Noa also met Avinatan’s family for the first time during his captivity and accompanied his father to New York to pray for his release.

Speaking at an audience of White House officials, Noa shared, “Avinatan and I came to the Nova music festival just to celebrate our life. We found ourselves in the darkest tunnels of Gaza. I cannot even begin to describe those terrible pictures.”

She said she had not seen Avinatan since being dragged away, her arms outstretched as he looked on helplessly, surrounded by armed terrorists. “I asked about Avinatan everywhere I went. I didn’t know whether he had been murdered or taken hostage, and I was afraid to know the answer.”

Noa also revealed that she feared every minute that her guards might “lose control and kill me” and heartbreakingly declared: “I’m not the same person I used to be.”

She added, “I saw it happen in front of my eyes, two of my friends that were with me since October 7th were murdered in captivity. Yossi Sharabi and Itay Svirsky were brutally murdered and executed and I survived.”

Noa told those present, “I dedicate my life to bringing my partner, Avinatan, and all the hostages back home.”

In March 2025, Avinatan’s family received the first information that he might still be alive. Remaining cautious, Noa posted on her social media, “Until Avinatan returns, my heart is in captivity.”

Over six months later, Avinatan’s return happened – on 13 October 2025.

“Time to come home”

Noa was in Washington as his imminent release was announced, and she had to dash back to Israel. Just a few days before, she had given a speech to the US Cabinet on the anniversary of October 7th, vowing to keep fighting for Avinatan. As she prepared to leave, she posted a picture of herself on top of suitcases in Washington, writing, “Now it’s time to come home.”

Avinatan’s parents, Yaron and Ditsa Or, welcomed him with open arms. After seeing the first pictures, his father said, “He’s lanky, thin, with a huge moustache—but alive. From his movements he seems to be in good condition, thank God. We’re waiting to see him. This is the day the Lord has made for us a great miracle; we will rejoice and be glad in His salvation.”

His mother added, “Thank God, thank God. Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, His kindness endures forever. The uncertainty was unbearable during these two years, and suddenly we have some clarity about how this is happening and what it looks like. But the story won’t be over and the joy won’t be complete until everyone, everyone, comes home.”

The family released a written statement quoting from Psalms: “‘Give thanks to the Lord for His steadfast love and His wondrous deeds for mankind… Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom He redeemed from the hand of the foe.’ We thank God for the great mercy of returning our beloved son alive, whole and healthy. Our Avinush is home! After two long years of waiting and struggle for his return, he is home! We will embrace him, celebrate this victory, and strengthen the hope among the people of Israel.”

They expressed deep gratitude to the IDF, “the heroic soldiers and the many wounded,” as well as to bereaved families, “without whom this would not have happened.” The family also thanked Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, and President Donald Trump, “but above all, the people of Israel who stood behind us, prayed, fought, and stood by us through this difficult time.” They concluded, “We chose hope, and we remain with hope. The people of Israel live and prevail.”

After the reunion with his parents, Avinatan was led into a side room where his sweetheart Noa was waiting. The two embraced and kissed, apparently overwhelmed by the moment. The beaming smiles caught on camera say it all. The photographs of them back together were symbolic not only of the nightmare being over, but also of love and commitment prevailing over evil.

He held her face as they stared with joy into one another’s eyes. Two years had passed since they were ripped apart by the barbarism of Hamas. During that time, they had both experienced unimaginable anguish, but today they share in an answer to prayer.

We continue to extend our prayers for Noa and Avinatan, and for all the hostages and their families. We pray for strength as they come to terms with the trauma and seek to rebuild their lives. We pray for healing and restoration, physically, mentally, and emotionally. And we pray that the Lord will bless them and lead them into future days full of peace, contentment and joy.