Noa Argamani e Avinatan Or juntos de novo — Foto: Forças de Defesa de Israel / Divulgação
Noa Argamani and Avinatan Or, kidnapped by Hamas during the Nova music festival on October 7, 2023, reunited on Monday (13) at an Israeli Defense Forces base in southern Israel. The couple, separated shortly after the attack that killed over 360 people at the site, spent more than two years in captivity in Gaza. Avinatan’s release was part of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, mediated by the United States, which involved the exchange of over 1,900 Palestinian prisoners.
The reunion took place after Avinatan, 32, was transferred to the Re’im base, where Noa, 26, awaited him. Images released by Israeli forces show the moment the two embraced, marking the end of a forced separation that gained global attention. The deal also allowed food supplies and humanitarian aid to enter Gaza, following months of negotiations.
Several released hostages reported harsh conditions during captivity, including food shortages and health issues.
- Avinatan Or appeared visibly thin upon being handed over to Israeli authorities.
- Noa Argamani, rescued in a military operation in June 2024, had reported breathing difficulties after bombings at her location.
- Nineteen other hostages, including civilians and soldiers, were freed simultaneously, totaling the last 20 living captives.
- Avinatan’s family, from Shilo in the occupied West Bank, expressed relief over his British citizenship, which aided international contacts.
Nova festival attack exposes vulnerabilities
The Nova music festival, held near the Gaza border, became a primary target of the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. Hundreds of attendees tried to flee as militants invaded the site in vehicles and on foot. Noa and Avinatan hid in a ditch for hours before being captured.
Videos recorded by the attackers circulated immediately, showing Noa being taken on a motorcycle while reaching for Avinatan, who was marched alongside. The operation resulted in 40 abductions at the festival, alongside deaths and injuries. Israeli authorities investigated security failures that allowed the rapid incursion.
The incident highlighted the border’s proximity, with the event just kilometers from Gaza. Survivor accounts indicate chaos erupted within minutes, with attendees running to cars or hiding in bushes.
Noa Argamani’s rescue in special operation
Israeli forces rescued Noa Argamani on June 8, 2024, during a raid in Nuseirat, central Gaza. The operation involved elite units that located the building where she was held, along with three other hostages. Medical teams treated her immediately after the rescue due to injuries and malnutrition.
Noa turned 26 in captivity just 12 days after her abduction in October 2023, when the Israeli government publicly honored her. In January 2024, Hamas released a video of her urging an end to Gaza bombings. Her mother, Liora, who has a terminal illness, pleaded to see her daughter before passing.
Noa traveled to the UN in February 2025 to recount her captivity experiences, including an incident where her location was bombed. She described struggles to move and breathe during the event. The rescue was one of few successful ground operations, contrasting with releases via agreements.
After her return, Noa continued advocating for the remaining hostages, including Avinatan. Her UN testimony detailed their immediate separation during the kidnapping. Medical authorities confirmed she underwent extended treatment for physical and psychological effects.
Avinatan Or’s profile before the kidnapping
Avinatan Or was born into a religious family in the Shilo settlement, occupied West Bank, as the second of seven siblings. He studied electrical engineering in Beersheva, southern Israel, and worked as an engineer at Nvidia in Tel Aviv. His dual Israeli-British citizenship enabled family connections abroad during captivity.
Before October 7, 2023, the couple planned to settle in Beersheva, where Avinatan had graduated. He attended cultural events, including the Nova festival, which drew thousands of youths. Friends described him as dedicated to his career and relationship with Noa.
The captivity halted professional projects, with Nvidia supporting his family over the 738 days. Colleagues followed updates on his condition through reports from other freed hostages. His release on Monday allowed him to reconnect with work and daily life.
Context of the current ceasefire agreement
The ceasefire announced in October 2025 ended over two years of intense clashes between Israel and Hamas. The deal, mediated by US President Donald Trump, included the release of all 20 remaining living hostages in Gaza. In exchange, Israel freed Palestinian prisoners and halted military operations in the region.
Negotiations occurred in phases, with the first focusing on civilian and military hostages captured in 2023. The agreement also expanded humanitarian aid, with thousands of tons of food authorized weekly. Both sides confirmed initial compliance with the terms.
Hamas published the list of released hostages the day before, including Avinatan Or among Nova festival civilians. The group retained deceased hostages, with four bodies handed over the same day. Israel monitored the transfer via the Red Cross, ensuring safe arrival at the border.
The deal follows multiple partial agreements, like one in November 2023 that freed 105 hostages. This latest aimed for a broader truce, with discussions on Gaza’s reconstruction. Analysts note external mediation was key to overcoming prior deadlocks.
Other hostages freed on the same day
Nineteen other Israelis regained freedom alongside Avinatan Or in a coordinated operation at the Gaza border. The list includes names like Elkana Bohbot, captured in a tank near Nahal Oz, and twin brothers Gali and Ziv Berman, kidnapped from a kibbutz. Many showed signs of malnutrition and chronic health issues.
- Matan Angrest, a 19-year-old soldier, was dragged from his military vehicle during the initial attack.
- Omri Miran, 48, appeared in a Hamas video marking his birthday in captivity.
- Ariel Cunio and David Cunio, brothers from Nir Oz, had family members freed in earlier exchanges.
- Nimrod Cohen, 21, suffered from a lack of medication for pre-existing conditions.
Doctors at Israeli hospitals, like Beilinson in Petah Tikva, prepared teams for immediate care. Families waited at military bases, with reunions filmed for documentation. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum confirmed all living captives were freed, closing a phase of the conflict.
Health conditions post-captivity
Hostages like Avinatan Or undergo thorough medical evaluations after release, focusing on nutrition and accumulated trauma. Reports indicate many faced water and food shortages during their 738 days in Gaza. Noa Argamani underwent similar rehabilitation after her 2024 rescue.
Israeli health authorities prioritize treatments for skin infections and nutritional deficiencies common among former captives. Psychologists support returns with initial sessions at specialized centers. Most freed hostages in this deal were held in underground tunnels, worsening respiratory conditions.
Recovery varies, with some requiring extended hospitalizations. Families receive guidance for home support, including controlled diets. Cases like Avinatan’s highlight the need for ongoing monitoring for long-term effects.
