{{Short description|Israeli hostage taken by Hamas in 2023}} {{protection padlock|small=yes}} {{infobox artist | name = Noa Argamani | image = frameless|upright=0.75 | caption = Noa Argamani in March 2025 | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1997|10|12|df=yes}} | birth_place = Beer Sheva, Israel | death_date = | death_place = | nationality = | alt = Noa Argamani, one of the hostages taken by Hamas in October 7 attacks on Israel in 2023 and rescued by Israeli military on 8 June 2024 along with three other hostages in the Gaza Strip, at a meeting with U.S. representative for New York's 21st congressional district Elise Stefanik. }}
{{7 October attacks}} {{Campaignbox Gaza war}} '''Noa Argamani''' ({{langx|he|נועה ארגמני}}; born 12 October 1997) is an Israeli woman who was abducted by Hamas during the Re'im music festival massacre as part of the October 7 attacks. In one of the first Hamas videos released of the massacre, she was seen being taken away on a motorcycle as she yelled, "Don't kill me!" Her arms were outstretched toward her then-boyfriend Avinatan Or, who was also kidnapped.<ref name="CBS20231010">{{Cite web |last=O'Kane |first=Caitlin |date=10 October 2023 |title="Her name is Noa": Video shows woman being taken by Hamas at Supernova music festival where at least 260 were killed - CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/israel-supernova-festival-noa-argamani-hostage-hamas-attacks-video/ |access-date=5 November 2023 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="CNN20231008">{{Cite web|date=8 October 2023|title=Festivalgoers, children, soldiers: What we know about the people captured by Hamas|url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/08/europe/israel-hostages-hamas-what-we-know-intl/index.html |access-date=5 November 2023|website=CNN|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last1=Lajka|first1=Arijeta|last2=Mellen|first2=Riley|date=8 October 2023|title=Video captures concertgoer being kidnapped by militants.|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/08/world/middleeast/music-festival-israel-kidnapping-video.html |access-date=5 November 2023|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Cohen|first=Rebecca|title=Noa Argamani's friend says no one can escape videos and firsthand accounts of the Hamas attacks|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/hamas-attack-videos-witness-accounts-haunting-friends-survivors-2023-10 |access-date=5 November 2023|website=Business Insider|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=מרקוביץ' |first=לילך |date=2026-03-23 |title=שורדי השבי נועה ארגמני ואבינתן אור נפרדו |url=https://www.mako.co.il/entertainment-celebs/local-2026/Article-7802462093b1d91027.htm |access-date=2026-03-28 |website=mako |language=he}}</ref> The footage of her kidnapping became a symbol of the hostage crisis and led to Argamani being described as "the face of the Nova music festival hostages".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-19 |title=Noa Argamani became the face of the Nova music festival hostages |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/noa-argamani-israel-hamas-hostages-nova-music-festival-rcna129792 |access-date=2024-06-28 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref>
In March 2024, Argamani's Chinese-born mother Liora, who was suffering from late-stage brain cancer, made a public plea to see her daughter one last time. She urged US President Joe Biden to help secure her daughter's release. The family had indications that Argamani was still alive, as she had appeared in a Hamas video released in January 2024.<ref name="cnn20240608">{{Cite web |last=Kennedy |first=Niamh |date=2024-06-08 |title=Israel rescues four hostages in operation Gazan officials say killed more than 200 |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/06/08/middleeast/four-israeli-hostages-freed-gaza-intl/index.html |access-date=2024-06-08 |website=CNN}}</ref>
On June 8, 2024, after 245 days in captivity, Argamani and three other hostages were rescued from Gaza in a joint operation by the Israel Defense Forces, Shin Bet, and the Israel Police.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Donnison |first=Jon |date=2024-06-09 |title=Israel hostage rescue: How the operation unfolded |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cp334z7rxxmo |access-date=2025-10-13 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> She was subsequently reunited with her family, three weeks prior to her mother's death.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Barber |first1=Harriet |last2=Smith |first2=Benedict |date=2024-06-08 |title='We've come to take you home': Noa Argamani's 245 days of captivity are finally over |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/06/08/israel-hamas-war-gaza-latest-news3/ |access-date=2024-06-28 |work=The Telegraph |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}}</ref>
After her rescue, she became a prominent activist for the hostages who remained held in Gaza. She was named by ''Time'' magazine's listed her as one of the world's 100 most influential people in 2025.<ref name=":0" />
==Early life== Argamani was born in Beer Sheva,<ref name=":4" /> Israel on 12 October 1997 to Yaakov and Liora Argamani.<ref name="bday">{{Cite news |last=Stevenson |first=Alexandra |date=12 October 2023 |title='We Are Waiting': Family of an Israeli Hostage Marks Her Birthday |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/12/world/middleeast/noa-argamani-israel-hamas-hostage.html |access-date=4 November 2023 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>{{efn|Reports published immediately after Argamani's abduction saying that she was born in Beijing were false.<ref name="scmp">{{Cite web|author=Zhuang, Sylvie |date=12 October 2023|title=Israel-Hamas war: mother of kidnapped woman says daughter is Israeli, not Chinese|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3237726/israel-hamas-war-mother-kidnapped-woman-says-daughter-israeli-not-chinese |access-date=4 November 2023|website=South China Morning Post|language=en}}</ref>}} She is their only child.<ref name="ynetmag" /> Argamani's mother, Liora (née Li Chunhong), is originally from Wuhan, China, and was formerly a Chinese national.<ref name="scmp"/> During her compulsory military service, Argamani served in the Israeli Navy.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fox13news.com/news/clearwater-family-praying-for-safe-return-of-kidnapped-israeli-cousin-hostage-seen-in-viral-video|title=Clearwater family hopes for safe return after Israeli cousin taken hostage in Hamas attack|first=Evan|last=Axelbank|date=11 October 2023|website=FOX 13 News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author=Marq |first=Wesam Abo |date=March 26, 2024 |title=Noa Argamani, a captive of Hamas, confirmed to Serve in Israeli Military |url=https://misbar.com/en/editorial/2024/03/26/noa-argamani-a-captive-of-hamas-confirmed-to-serve-in-israeli-military |website=Misbar}}</ref> Prior to her abduction, she studied information systems and software engineering and at Ben Gurion University<ref name="ToI">{{cite news |author=ToI Staff |title=Taken captive: Noa Argamani, 26, recorded in one of first Hamas videos |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/taken-captive-noa-argamani-26-recorded-in-one-of-first-hamas-videos/ |access-date=4 November 2023 |website=The Times of Israel |language=en-US |issn=0040-7909}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Kohavi |first=Hagar |last2=Koren |first2=Ziv |date=2025-10-05 |title=‘Still fighting for freedom’: Noa Argamani on abduction, rescue and life after captivity |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/magazine/article/b1fuc00j6lx |access-date=2025-12-23 |work=Ynetglobal |language=en}}</ref> where she met her boyfriend of two years, Avinatan Or.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Spector |first=Dana |date=2024-04-19 |title='It's more than Romeo and Juliet, Avinatan had many opportunities to escape, but he followed Noa' |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/magazine/article/rjmngeebr |access-date=2024-05-18 |work=Ynetnews |language=en}}</ref>
==Kidnapping== {{Broader|Re'im music festival massacre|Gaza war hostage crisis}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2023}} [[File:Noa Argamani being taken hostage by Hamas.jpg|thumb|A still image from a bodycam worn by one of the kidnappers showing Noa Argamani being taken hostage by Hamas]]
On October 7, 2023, as part of the initial incursion of the 2023 Israel-Hamas war, Hamas militants crossed from the Gaza Strip into Israel and attacked the Supernova (Nova) Sukkot Gathering music festival, an open-air music festival in the western Negev desert.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-10-08 |title=Israeli music festival: 260 bodies recovered from site where people fled in hail of bullets |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-67047034 |access-date=2023-11-09}}</ref> Argamani was attending the festival with her boyfriend Avinatan Or and was shown along with Or being captured by Hamas militants in a viral video.<ref name="CNN20231008" /> The Israeli government "condemned the video as psychological warfare propaganda."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Freid |first=Stephanie |date=12 February 2024 |title=Dying Mother Pleas for Release of Hamas-Held Daughter |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/dying-mother-pleas-for-release-of-hamas-held-daughter/7484304.html |work=VOA News News |language=en}}</ref> Her friend, Amit Parparia, indicated that they did not want to believe the video depicted Argamani and Or, but could not deny it as "Its just her face, her clothes and it's her boyfriend."<ref name="CBS20231010" />
In the video, Argamani can be heard screaming "Don't kill me! No, no, no!" while being forced onto a motorcycle by members of Hamas.<ref name=bbc-whatwe/><ref name=mes-fami/> The video also shows Or being restrained by two other men.<ref name=bbc-whatwe/><ref name=mes-fami/> Or's brother, Moshe, reportedly learned of the video by emergency teams and viewed it before giving his approval for the media to publish it.<ref name=bbc-whatwe/><ref name=mes-fami/> An additional video of her abduction was released in April 2024, which showed her being forced onto the motorcycle and restrained with her head covered with a black bag.<ref name="JC20240412">{{Cite web |last=Prinsley |first=Jane |date=12 April 2024 |title=New footage shows hostage Noa Argamani being taken into Gaza with a bag over her head |url=https://www.thejc.com/news/israel/new-footage-shows-hostage-noa-argamani-being-taken-into-gaza-with-a-bag-over-her-head-n5bpm0lz |access-date=2024-05-18 |website=www.thejc.com |language=en}}</ref> Argamani has been seen in a later footage that appears to show her drinking water in a room in Gaza.<ref name=bbc-whatwe>{{Cite news |last=Davis |first=Alys |date=2023-10-08 |title=What we know about Israeli hostages taken by Hamas |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-67044255 |access-date=2023-11-10}}</ref><ref name=mes-fami>{{Cite web |last=Fitzgerald |first=Madeline |date=2023-10-08 |title=Family of Terrified Couple Kidnapped By Hamas Releases Video Showing Moment They Were Taken: 'Don't Kill Me!' |url=https://themessenger.com/news/family-of-couple-kidnapped-by-hamas-releases-video-showing-moment-they-were-taken-dont-kill-me |access-date=2023-11-10 |website=The Messenger |language=en |archive-date=10 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110201911/https://themessenger.com/news/family-of-couple-kidnapped-by-hamas-releases-video-showing-moment-they-were-taken-dont-kill-me |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Allegations were raised during an NBC report that Argamani was not abducted by Hamas forces but instead by a mob of Palestinian civilians from Gaza. This theory was posited by anonymous sources claiming to be Israeli military officials, stated that their reasoning was based on the fact that those filmed abducting Argamani wore no official uniforms and she appeared to have been abducted several hours after the attack.<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 December 2023 |title=Noa Argamani was abducted not by Hamas but by civilian mob, NBC report suggests |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/noa-argamani-was-abducted-not-by-hamas-but-by-civilian-mob-nbc-report-suggests/ |access-date=11 January 2024 |website=The Times of Israel}}</ref>
===Videos released from captivity=== {{external media | title = Still image from video released by Hamas | image1 = [https://ynet-pic1.yit.co.il/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto/picserver5/crop_images/2024/01/30/SJg2lyPUq6/SJg2lyPUq6_1_5_1181_665_0_x-large.jpg Click here for image] }} On January 14, 2024, Hamas released a video showing Argamani and two male hostages asking Israel to bring them home.<ref name="jp-three">{{Cite web |date=2024-01-14 |title=Three Gaza hostages, including Noa Argamani, show sign of life in video |url=https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-782185 |access-date=2024-01-15 |website=The Jerusalem Post |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last= |date=2024-01-14 |title=Sign of life from three Israeli hostages in fresh Hamas propaganda clip |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/article/r1egnp11ft |access-date=2024-01-15 |work=Ynetnews |language=en}}</ref> The next day, Hamas released another video showing Argamani stating that the two male hostages had been killed in Israeli airstrikes.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-782292 | title=Hostages Yossi Sharabi and Itai Svirsky reported dead in Hamas video | date=15 January 2024 |work=The Jerusalem Post |first1= Sam|last1= Halpern|first2= Noa|last2= Feigenbaum |access-date=17 July 2025 |issn=0792-822X}}</ref> After her rescue, Argamani said she was held captive with Yossi Sharabi and Itay Svirsky.<ref name="Ynet20240608">{{Cite news |last1=Yanko |first1=Adir |last2=Kochavi |first2=Hagar |date=2024-06-08 |title=Rescued hostages say subjected to brainwashing, emotional abuse in captivity |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/article/h1s8ssfha |access-date=2024-06-09 |work=Ynetnews |language=en}}</ref>
On May 31, 2024, Hamas released a video featuring the voice of Argamani.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-804538|title=Hamas releases hostage video voiced by Noa Argamani - report|date=31 May 2024|website=The Jerusalem Post|accessdate=8 June 2024}}</ref>
==Media coverage and efforts to release== Argamani's abduction was featured on the front page of the October 8 edition of UK's ''Mail on Sunday''.<ref name="ynetmag">{{Cite news|last=Merlin-Rosenzweig|first=Orit|date=11 October 2023|title=Noa Argamani's parents sought help from the Chinese embassy|language=en|work=Ynetnews|url=https://www.ynetnews.com/magazine/article/rk4hiyq11t |access-date=5 November 2023}}</ref> News of Argamani's abduction and her ties to China have been widely reported by international and Chinese media.<ref name="scmp"/> Her mother Liora appealed to the Chinese embassy for help in freeing her daughter.<ref name="scmp"/> Argamani's father Yaakov reportedly indicated that he did not approve of violence to get his daughter freed, saying: "They also have mothers who are crying. The same as it is for us."<ref name="CBS20231010" />
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appealed to Chinese Ambassador Cai Run for Chinese President Xi Jinping to intervene to secure the release of Argamani.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lazaroff |first1=Tovah |title=Netanyahu asks China to help free Hamas hostage Noa Argamani |url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-hamas-war/article-779496 |website=The Jerusalem Post |date=25 December 2023}}</ref> After Argamani's rescue, it was revealed that the Chinese government refused to provide assistance because Argamani's mother renounced her Chinese citizenship, as China does not allow dual citizenship.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ynetnews.com/article/bjx7jxgbc|date=June 8, 2024|title='Only half Chinese': China refused to help secure release of Noa Argamani|publisher=Ynet|first=Itamar|last= Eichner}}</ref>
In March 2024, Argamani's mother, while suffering from terminal brain cancer, implored United States President Joe Biden to intervene and help bring her daughter home.<ref name="JC20240412" />
{{external media | title = Image of the manga booklet about Noa Argamani's life | image1 = [https://www.gov.il/BlobFolder/news/noa_argaman_/en/news_Japan_art_3.JPG Click here for image] }} In May 2024, two weeks prior to Argamani's rescue, Japanese manga artist, Makoto Tanaka, release a booklet featuring Argamani's life story. Tanaka titled the booklet "Bring them home" (in English). The unveiling of the booklet was done at the Israeli Embassy in Tokyo marking the 76th anniversary of Israel's independence, with Argamani's father in attendance.<ref>{{cite web |date=May 31, 2024 |title=A Japanese artist has launched a Manga booklet about Noa Argamani, calling for the release of the hostages |url=https://www.gov.il/en/pages/noa_argaman_ |website=gov.il}}</ref>
== Rescue == {{Main|Nuseirat rescue and massacre}}
At around 11 a.m. on June 8, 2024, Argamani and three other hostages were rescued from two houses in the Nuseirat refugee camp in Gaza, where they were being held by Hamas militants.<ref name="NYT20240608">{{Cite news |last1=Boxerman |first1=Aaron |last2=Abdulrahim |first2=Raja |last3=Lohr |first3=Steve |date=2024-06-08 |title=Israel Rescues 4 Hostages in Assault That Killed Scores of Gazans |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/08/world/middleeast/israel-hostages-nuseirat-gaza.html |access-date=2024-06-08 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The Israel Defence Forces, Shin Bet, and the Israel Police jointly carried out the rescue operation,<ref name="Sky20240608">{{Cite web|url=https://news.sky.com/story/israel-rescues-four-hostages-alive-from-gaza-13149780|title=Israel rescues four hostages from Gaza 'in good medical condition'|work=Sky News|accessdate=8 June 2024}}</ref> after which the hostages were transported by helicopter to Sheba Medical Center for examination.<ref name="NYT20240608" /><ref name="cnn20240608"/> The hostages were initially reported to be in good medical condition,<ref name="Sky20240608" /> but subsequent reports cited medical professionals' findings that they were malnourished.<ref name="TimesOfIsrael20240610">{{Cite web |date=2024-06-10 |title=Rescued hostages said suffering from malnutrition; leaning on each other for support |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/rescued-hostages-said-suffering-from-malnutrition-leaning-on-each-other-for-support/ |access-date=2024-06-10 |website=The Times of Israel}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/rescued-hostages-were-beaten-almost-every-day-says-doctor-who-treated-them/ | title=Rescued hostages were beaten 'almost every day,' says doctor who treated them | website=The Times of Israel | date=10 June 2024 }}</ref>
Argamani's rescue coincided with the birthday of her father, Yaakov Argamani. He commented, "What a present I received ... there’s no army like this in the world."<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Barber |first1=Harriet |last2=Smith |first2=Benedict |date=2024-06-08 |title='We've come to take you home': Noa Argamani's 245 days of captivity are finally over |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/06/08/israel-hamas-war-gaza-latest-news3/ |access-date=2024-06-09 |work=The Telegraph |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}}</ref> The video of their reunion was widely viewed on social media.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Reporter |first=Natalie Venegas Weekend |date=2024-06-08 |title=Noa Argamani video shows hostage's emotional reunion with father |url=https://www.newsweek.com/noa-argamani-video-shows-israeli-hostages-reunion-father-1910067 |access-date=2024-06-09 |website=Newsweek |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Supplied |first=Source |date=2024-06-08 |title=Freed Israeli hostage Noa Argamani is reunited with her father – video |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2024/jun/08/freed-israeli-hostage-noa-argamani-is-reunited-with-her-father-video |access-date=2024-06-08 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> She spoke with president Isaac Herzog and prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu upon her return to Israel;<ref name="NYT20240608" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Presse |first=AFP-Agence France |title=Israeli Rescued Hostage Argamani Speaks On Phone With President Herzog |url=https://www.barrons.com/articles/israeli-rescued-hostage-argamani-speaks-on-phone-with-president-herzog-232a1986 |access-date=2024-06-09 |website=www.barrons.com |language=en-US}}</ref> Netanyahu told her that "we didn't give up on you for a moment."<ref name="cnn20240608"/> She was then transferred to Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center to visit her mother, Liora Argamani, who was being treated there for terminal brain cancer. The facility's CEO described her mother's condition as "complicated and tough" but said he believed that mother and daughter had been able to communicate.<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 June 2024 |title=Noa Argamani freed in time to see her terminally ill mother |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israeli-hostage-noa-argamani-freed-time-see-her-terminally-ill-mother-2024-06-08/ |access-date=9 June 2024 |website=Reuters}}</ref>
Argamani was discharged from the hospital on June 11, three days after her rescue. Upon her release, she visited with Ditza Or, the mother of her boyfriend whom she had never previously met. Argamani's boyfriend continued to be held hostage.<ref>{{cite news|title=Noa Argamani meets mother of partner still held hostage|url=https://www.ynetnews.com/article/syphh3sr0|date=June 11, 2024|first=Yael|last=Ciechanover|publisher=Ynet}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ynetnews.com/magazine/article/rjmngeebr|title='It's more than Romeo and Juliet, Avinatan had many opportunities to escape, but he followed Noa'|date=April 19, 2024|publisher=Ynet|first=Dana|last=Spector}}</ref>
=== Post-rescue description of life as a hostage === Describing her experience as a hostage, Argamani told medical teams that she had not been held in the tunnels beneath Gaza; instead, she had been moved among four different apartments.<ref name="TimesOfIsrael20240610" /> The mother of another hostage claimed that Argamani told her that she and some of the other female hostages were "held as slaves in a luxury villa": "They cleaned the yard, did dishes and prepared food that they were not allowed to eat."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-06-15 |title=Noa Argamani: IDF spotters were 'held as slaves' in a luxury villa in Gaza, then taken into tunnels |url=https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel-at-war/artc-noa-argamani-idf-spotters-were-held-as-slaves-in-a-luxury-villa-in-gaza-then-taken-into-tunnels |access-date=2024-08-20 |website=i24News |language=en}}</ref> At her last apartment belonging to the Abu Nar family,<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 17, 2024 |title=Rescued hostages were held by families with known ties to Hamas, says report |website=The Times of Israel |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/rescued-hostages-were-held-by-families-with-known-ties-to-hamas-says-report/ }}</ref> where she was held under armed guard.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dunne |first=John |date=2024-06-10 |title=Israeli hostage freed in raid 'did not see daylight for 245 days' |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/israel-hostage-noa-argamani-freed-hamas-gaza-war-b1163324.html |access-date=2024-07-05|website=Evening Standard |language=en}}</ref> She had occasionally been allowed to go outside, after not seeing "daylight" for 245 days, disguised as a Palestinian woman, but was rarely permitted to shower.<ref name="Ynet20240608" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-06-09 |title=Dressed as an Arab woman: The untold captivity story of Noa Argamani - report |url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-hamas-war/article-805512 |access-date=2024-06-11 |website=The Jerusalem Post |language=en |issn=0792-822X}}</ref> She also said that she feared that every night could be her last night.<ref name="Aug 2024 Tokyo visit">{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/rescued-israeli-hostage-says-she-thought-every-night-might-be-her-last/|title=Rescued Israeli hostage says she thought every night in captivity might be her last|date=August 21, 2024|agency=Agence France-Presse}}</ref>
She had learned some Arabic during her time in captivity and had acted as a spokeswoman for other female hostages, who were released during a truce in November 2023.<ref name="TimesOfIsrael20240610" />
On August 23, Argamani took to social media to say that she sustained injuries in an Israeli airstrike during her captivity, and to deny false reports in some Israeli media that Hamas operatives had beaten her or shaved her hair.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Freed Israeli captive Noa Argamani says she was wounded by Israel, not Hamas |url=https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/noa-argamani-freed-israeli-captive-says-misquoted-about-hamas-mistreatment |access-date=2024-08-23 |website=Middle East Eye |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2024-08-23 |title='They Did Not Hit Me' - Former Prisoner Argamani Challenges Israeli Media over Distorted Claims |url=https://www.palestinechronicle.com/they-did-not-hit-me-former-prisoner-argamani-challenges-israeli-media-over-distorted-claims/ |access-date=2024-08-24 |website=Palestine Chronicle |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Post-rescue activities and activism== [[File:Noa Argamani visits US Embassy in Tokyo 2024-08-19 1.jpg|thumb|Argamani visiting with Rahm Emanuel, United States ambassador to Japan, August 2024. Left to right: Gilad Cohen (Israel's ambassador to Japan), Emanuel, Argamani, Argamani's father, Emanuel's wife Amy Rule.]] [[File:The White House - 54371465681.jpg|thumb|Noa Argamani meeting with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office, March 2025]] Noa Argamani's mother, Liora, died three weeks after the rescue, allowing Liora to have her dying wish "to see her daughter one last time" be fulfilled.<ref name=":4">{{cite news|title=Liora Argamani, mother of Noa who was held captive in Gaza for 246 days, dies from cancer|url=https://www.israelhayom.com/2024/07/02/liora-argamani-whose-daughter-noa-was-held-captive-in-gaza-for-246-days-succumbs-to-brain-cancer|date=July 2, 2024|publisher=Israel Hayom}}</ref>
On July 24, 2024, Argamani and her father were guests of Benjamin Netanyahu during his address to a joint session of the U.S. Congress. Netanyahu recognized Argamani during his speech, and she was received with a standing ovation.<ref>{{cite news|first=Daniel|last= Arkin|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/israeli-hostage-noa-argamani-standing-ovation-netanyahus-speech-rcna163509|publisher=NBC News|title=Noa Argamani, face of Israeli hostage crisis, draws standing ovation during Benjamin Netanyahu's speech to Congress}}</ref> Argamani was criticized for joining Netanyahu, but Netanyahu defended her decision to be his guest.<ref>{{cite news|title=Netanyahu responds to attacks on Noa Argamani: Is there no limit to the lunacy?|url=https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/393519|date=July 24, 2024|first=Yoni|last=Kempinski}}</ref>
A couple of days after the address to Congress, Argamani and her father went to Cambria Heights, Queens to visit the Ohel, the tomb of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, where they prayed for the return of the rest of the hostages. In November 2023, her father had prayed for her safe return at the same venue, while she was being held hostage.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chabad.org/news/article_cdo/aid/6528083/jewish/Noa-Argamani-Recently-Freed-From-Gaza-Visits-Ohel-in-Appreciation.htm|date=July 26, 2024|title=Noa Argamani, Recently Freed From Gaza, Visits Ohel in Appreciation|first=Moshe|last=New|publisher=Chabad}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ynetnews.com/article/s1si9e11tc|title=Rescued hostage Noa Argamani visits Lubavitcher Rebbe's grave in New York|first=Itamar |last=Eichner|date=July 26, 2024|publisher=Ynet }}</ref>
In August 2024, she traveled with her father to Tokyo where she met with diplomats from G7 countries in order to promote the plight of the hostages still held by Hamas. After some of her comments were taken out of context by Israeli media, Argamani stated on social media that she had sustained injuries from a wall collapsing due to Israeli military airstrikes and that Hamas had not beaten her or shaved her hair.<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 August 2024 |title=Freed Israeli captive Noa Argamani says she was wounded by Israel, not Hamas |url=https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/noa-argamani-freed-israeli-captive-says-misquoted-about-hamas-mistreatment |access-date=2024-09-07 |website=Middle East Eye |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Aug 2024 Tokyo visit"/> In the same month, she was filmed dancing in a yellow bikini at a summer party to celebrate her rescue. This attracted some criticism on social media.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stempler |first=Falyn |date=2024-08-28 |title=Hamas hostage Noa Argamani slammed as 'sickening' for 'celebrating' her release |url=https://www.the-express.com/news/world-news/147120/hamas-hostage-noa-argamani-celebration |access-date=2024-09-05 |website=Daily Express US |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Romero |first=Dennis |date=2024-08-24 |title=Hostage taken from music festival during Hamas attack returns to the dance floor to celebrate life |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/noa-argamani-israeli-celebrates-life-rcna168035 |access-date=2024-09-07 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref>
In January 2025, Argamani, along with relatives of hostages that remained held in Hamas captivity, met with four members of the U.S. Congress: Sen. Dave McCormick (R-Pa.), Reps. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), Addison McDowell (R-N.C.), and August Pfluger (R-Texas) in an effort to promote the release of the hostages left behind, including her boyfriend, Avinatan Or.<ref>{{cite news|publisher=Jewish News Syndicate|date=January 9, 2025|title= Capitol Hill legislators assure Noa Argamani plight of hostages a priority |url= https://www.jns.org/capitol-hill-legislators-assure-noa-argamani-plight-of-hostages-a-priority/}}</ref> A week later, Argamani made an appearance alongside Sara Netanyahu at the Nova music festival massacre traveling exhibition in Miami. In her appearance, Argamani recounted her experience of being kidnapped and held hostage.<ref>{{cite news|title=Wife of Israeli prime minister visits Oct. 7 exhibit in North Miami as hostage deal reached|url= https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/wife-of-israeli-prime-minister-visits-oct-7-exhibit-in-north-miami-as-hostage-deal-reached/3518219/| date= January 16, 2025| first= Lena |last= Salzbank| publisher=WTVJ}}</ref> Argamani made a second public appearance at the exhibition in February 2025, this time alongside special envoy Steve Witkoff who pledged to continue working for the release of all the hostages still held by Hamas.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-842424|title='We'll leave no one behind,' Witkoff says at Miami Nova exhibit|date= February 17, 2025|publisher=The Jerusalem Post}}</ref>
During U.S. President Donald Trump's Second Inaugural Parade, Argamani stood directly behind Trump on stage after Trump invited released hostages and hostages families in attendance to the stage.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-01-21 |title=Trump meets released Israeli hostages – then talks about freeing Jan 6 ‘hostages’ |url=https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/israeli-hostages-guests-trump-inauguration-b2683185.html |access-date=2025-12-22 |website=The Independent |language=en}}</ref> The group remained on stage for the remainder of the speech.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Samuels |first=Ben |title=Trump brings families of Israeli hostages on stage; Witkoff unveils new Mideast approach |url=https://www.haaretz.com/us-news/2025-01-21/ty-article/.premium/trump-brings-families-of-israeli-hostages-on-stage-witkoff-unveils-new-mideast-approach/00000194-8617-dbbb-abf4-def7debe0000 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250122224330/https://www.haaretz.com/us-news/2025-01-21/ty-article/.premium/trump-brings-families-of-israeli-hostages-on-stage-witkoff-unveils-new-mideast-approach/00000194-8617-dbbb-abf4-def7debe0000 |archive-date=22 January 2025 |access-date=2025-12-22 |work=Haaretz.com |language=en |url-status=live }}</ref>
On February 25, 2025, Argamani spoke in front of the United Nations Security Council, recounting her experience as a hostage, and promoting a continuation of the 2025 Gaza war ceasefire until all the hostages are released.<ref name="Speaking at UNSC">{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/un-israeli-former-hostage-appeals-ceasefire-deal-go-2025-02-25/|date=February 25, 2025|publisher=Reuters|title =At UN, Israeli former hostage appeals for ceasefire deal to go on| first= Michelle| last= Nichols}}</ref> She was the first released hostages to speak in front of the UNSC.<ref name=":2" />
In March 2025, Argamani was invited by Speaker of the House Mike Johnson to attend Donald Trump's 2025 speech to a joint session of Congress.<ref>{{cite news|title=Rescued Israeli hostage Noa Argamani invited to Trump's State of Union speech by House Speaker Mike Johnson|url=https://allisrael.com/noa-argamani-invited-to-trump-s-state-of-union-speech-by-house-speaker-mike-johnson|date=March 4, 2025}}</ref> The next day, she was part of a delegation of former hostages who met President Trump in the White House to urge him to continue to work towards the release of the remaining hostages.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/well-get-them-out-trump-tells-group-of-released-hostages-meeting-him-in-the-oval-office/|title= 'We'll get them out,' Trump tells group of released hostages meeting him in the Oval Office|date=March 5, 2025|website=The Times of Israel| first=Jacob|last= Magid}}</ref> In 2025, ''Time'' magazine listed her as one of the world's 100 most influential people.<ref name=":0">{{Cite magazine |date=2025-04-16 |title=Adam Scott: The 100 Most Influential People of 2025 |url=https://time.com/collections/100-most-influential-people-2025/7273826/adam-scott/ |access-date=2025-04-16 |magazine=TIME |language=en |archive-date=8 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250608170226/https://time.com/collections/100-most-influential-people-2025/7273826/adam-scott/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Argamani was the first honoree at the 2025 TIME100 Summit and Gala to deliver a speech.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Chantelle |last2=Schneid |first2=Rebecca |date=April 24, 2025 |title=At TIME100 Gala, Honorees Pay Tribute to the Power of Endurance |url=https://time.com/collections/time100-summit-gala-2025/7279204/time100-gala-tributes/ |access-date=December 22, 2025 |website=Time}}</ref> After her speech, Time's Editor-in-chief, Sam Jacobs, called Argamani "a powerful voice for freedom around the world."<ref name=":1" /> [[File:Operation Shavim Legvulam, October 2025. (CXVII).jpeg|thumb|The first reunion between released hostage Avinatan Or and his partner, former hostage Noa Argamani, October 13, 2025.]] She was reunited with her former boyfriend, Avinatan Or, who was kidnapped with her, when he was released on October 13, 2025 as part of the Gaza peace plan.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Boffey |first=Daniel |date=2025-10-14 |title=Released Israeli hostages give accounts of torture, torment and extraordinary danger |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/oct/14/released-israeli-hostages-speak-of-torture-torment-and-co-existence |access-date=2025-10-14 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref name=":3" /> In November 2025, Argamani and Or were among the 26 former hostages who met with President Donald Trump at the White House.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Eichner |first=Itamar |last2=Gordon |first2=Lihi |date=2025-11-20 |title='Not hostages anymore—you are heroes': Trump hosts 26 freed hostages at White House |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/article/sy5m8ltl11g |access-date=2025-12-22 |work=Ynetglobal |language=en}}</ref>
==See also== * List of Gaza war hostages
==Notes== {{notelist}}
==References== {{reflist}}
{{Gaza war}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Argamani, Noa}} Category:Living people Category:1997 births Category:2020s missing person cases Category:21st-century Israeli Jews Category:21st-century Israeli women Category:Israeli people of Chinese descent Category:Mass kidnappings in the 2020s Category:Missing person cases in Israel Category:Formerly missing Israeli people Category:October 2023 in Israel Category:Hostages and abductees in the October 7 attacks Category:Re'im in the Gaza war Category:Israeli people of the Gaza war