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Kidnapping of Noa Argamani

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Noa Argamani
נועה ארגמני
Screenshot of video showing Noa's abduction
Born (1997-10-12) 12 October 1997 (age 27)
NationalityIsraeli
Known forAbduction at the Re'im music festival massacre

On 7 October 2023, Noa Argamani (Hebrew: נועה ארגמני), an Israeli woman, was abducted by Hamas during the Re'im music festival massacre, part of the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel. 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 boyfriend Avinatan Or, who was also kidnapped.[1][2][3][4] 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".[5]

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.[6]

On 8 June 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. She was subsequently reunited with her family, although her mother died three weeks after her rescue.[7]

Noa Argamani

Noa Argamani was born in Israel on 12 October 1997 to Yaakov and Liora Argamani.[8][a] She is their only child.[10] Her mother Liora Argamani, also known as Li Chunhong in Chinese, was from the Chinese city of Wuhan and was a former national of China.[9] Prior to her abduction, she studied at Ben Gurion University[11] where she met her boyfriend of two years, Avinatan Or.[12] During her compulsory military service, she served in the Israeli Navy.[13][14]

Kidnapping

For broader coverage of this topic, see Re'im music festival massacre and Israel–Hamas war hostage crisis.
External videos
YouTube logo
Video of Noa's abduction
video icon Woman kidnapped by Hamas fighters in front of helpless boyfriend at Israeli festival

On 7 October 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 Sukkot Gathering music festival, an open-air music festival in the western Negev desert.[15] Argamani was attending the festival with her boyfriend Avinatan Or and was shown in a now viral video along with Or being captured by Hamas militants.[2] The Israeli government "condemned the video as psychological warfare propaganda."[16] 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."[1]

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.[17][18] The video also shows Or being restrained by two other men.[17][18] 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.[17][18] 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.[19] Argamani has been seen in a later footage that appears to show her drinking water in a room in Gaza.[17][18]

Allegations were raised during an NBC report that Argamani was not abducted by Hamas forces but instead by a supposed mob of Palestinians from Gaza. This theory was posited by anonymous supposed Israeli military officials who stated their reasoning being those filmed abducting Argamani wore no official uniforms and she appeared to have been abducted several hours after the attack.[20]

Videos released from captivity

Still image from video released by Hamas
image icon Click here for image

On 14 January 2024, Hamas released a video showing Argamani and two male hostages asking Israel to bring them home.[21][22] The next day, Hamas released another video showing Argamani stating that the two male hostages had been killed in Israeli airstrikes.[23] In an interview after her rescue, Argamani explained she was forced to record that video. The hostages who died were identified as Yossi Sharabi and Itay Svirsky.[24]

On 31 May 2024, Hamas released a video featuring the voice of Argamani.[25]

Media coverage and efforts to release

File:Kidnapped from Israel posters in Yehud during Iron Swords War, January 2024 58.jpg
Posters of kidnapping victims Noa Argamani and her boyfriend, Avinatan Or, along with other kidnapping victims on a wall at a shopping center in Yehud.

Argamani's abduction was featured on the front page of 8 October edition of UK's Mail on Sunday.[10] News of Argamani's abduction and her ties to China have been widely reported by international and Chinese media.[9] Her mother Liora has appealed to the Chinese embassy for help in freeing her daughter.[9] 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."[1]

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appealed to Chinese Ambassador Cai Run for Chinese President Xi Jinping to intervene to secure the release of Argamani.[26] After Argamani's rescue it was revealed that the Chinese government refused to provide assistance since Argamani's mother renounced her Chinese citizenship, as China does not allow dual citizenship.[27]

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.[19]

Image of the manga booklet about Noa Argamani's life
image icon 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 unvailing of the booklet was done at a ceremony at the Israeli embassy in Tokyo marking the 76 anniversary of Israel's independence, with Argamani's father in attendance.[28]

Rescue

Main article: 2024 Nuseirat rescue operation
A wall outside the Israeli embassy in Beijing with the word "rescued" over the photo of Noa Argamani

At around 11 a.m. on 8 June 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.[29] The Israel Defence Forces, Shin Bet, and the Israel Police jointly carried out the rescue operation,[30] after which the hostages were transported by helicopter to Sheba Medical Center for examination.[29][6] The hostages were initially reported to be in good medical condition,[30] but subsequent reports cited medical professionals' findings that they were malnourished.[31][32]

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."[33] The video of their reunion was widely viewed on social media.[34][35] She spoke with president Isaac Herzog and prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu upon her return to Israel;[29][36] Netanyahu told her that "we didn't give up on you for a moment."[6] 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.[37]

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.[38][39]

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.[31] The mother of another hostage said 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."[40] At her last apartment, she was held under armed guard.[41] 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.[24][42] She also said that she feared that every night could be her last night.[43]

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.[31]

On 23 August, 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.[44][45]

Post-rescue activities

Noa Argamani's mother, Liora, passed away three weeks after the rescue, allowing Liora to have her dying wish "to see her daughter one last time" be fulfilled.[46]

On July 24, 2024, Argamani and her father were guests of Benjamin Netanyahu during his address to a joint session of Congress. Netanyahu recognized Argamani during his speech, and she was received with standing ovation.[47] Argamani was criticized for joining Netanyahu, but Netanyahu defended her decision to be his guest.[48]

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 prayed for her safe return at the same venue, while she was being held hostage.[49][50]

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.[43]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Reports published immediately after Argamani's abduction saying that she was born in Beijing were false.[9]

References

  1. ^ a b c O'Kane, Caitlin (10 October 2023). ""Her name is Noa": Video shows woman being taken by Hamas at Supernova music festival where at least 260 were killed - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Festivalgoers, children, soldiers: What we know about the people captured by Hamas". CNN. 8 October 2023. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
  3. ^ Lajka, Arijeta; Mellen, Riley (8 October 2023). "Video captures concertgoer being kidnapped by militants". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
  4. ^ Cohen, Rebecca. "Noa Argamani's friend says no one can escape videos and firsthand accounts of the Hamas attacks". Business Insider. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
  5. ^ "Noa Argamani became the face of the Nova music festival hostages". NBC News. 19 December 2023. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  6. ^ a b c Kennedy, Niamh (8 June 2024). "Israel rescues four hostages in operation Gazan officials say killed more than 200". CNN. Retrieved 8 June 2024.
  7. ^ Barber, Harriet; Smith, Benedict (8 June 2024). "'We've come to take you home': Noa Argamani's 245 days of captivity are finally over". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  8. ^ Stevenson, Alexandra (12 October 2023). "'We Are Waiting': Family of an Israeli Hostage Marks Her Birthday". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  9. ^ a b c d Zhuang, Sylvie (12 October 2023). "Israel-Hamas war: mother of kidnapped woman says daughter is Israeli, not Chinese". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  10. ^ a b Merlin-Rosenzweig, Orit (11 October 2023). "Noa Argamani's parents sought help from the Chinese embassy". Ynetnews. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
  11. ^ ToI Staff. "Taken captive: Noa Argamani, 26, recorded in one of first Hamas videos". www.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  12. ^ Spector, Dana (19 April 2024). "'It's more than Romeo and Juliet, Avinatan had many opportunities to escape, but he followed Noa'". Ynetnews. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  13. ^ Axelbank, Evan (11 October 2023). "Clearwater family hopes for safe return after Israeli cousin taken hostage in Hamas attack". FOX 13 News.
  14. ^ Wesam Abo Marq (26 March 2024). "Noa Argamani, a captive of Hamas, confirmed to Serve in Israeli Military". misbar.com.
  15. ^ "Israeli music festival: 260 bodies recovered from site where people fled in hail of bullets". BBC News. 8 October 2023. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  16. ^ "Dying Mother Pleas for Release of Hamas-Held Daughter". VOA News News.
  17. ^ a b c d Davis, Alys (8 October 2023). "What we know about Israeli hostages taken by Hamas". BBC News. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
  18. ^ a b c d Fitzgerald, Madeline (8 October 2023). "Family of Terrified Couple Kidnapped By Hamas Releases Video Showing Moment They Were Taken: 'Don't Kill Me!'". The Messenger. Archived from the original on 10 November 2023. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
  19. ^ a b Prinsley, Jane (12 April 2024). "New footage shows hostage Noa Argamani being taken into Gaza with a bag over her head". www.thejc.com. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  20. ^ "Noa Argamani was abducted not by Hamas but by civilian mob, NBC report suggests". The Times of Israel. 19 December 2023. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  21. ^ "Three Gaza hostages, including Noa Argamani, show sign of life in video". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. 14 January 2024. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  22. ^ Ynet (14 January 2024). "Sign of life from three Israeli hostages in fresh Hamas propaganda clip". Ynetnews. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  23. ^ "Hostages Yossi Sharabi and Itai Svirsky reported dead in Hamas video". 15 January 2024.
  24. ^ a b Yanko, Adir; Kochavi, Hagar (8 June 2024). "Rescued hostages say subjected to brainwashing, emotional abuse in captivity". Ynetnews. Retrieved 9 June 2024.
  25. ^ "Hamas releases hostage video voiced by Noa Argamani - report". The Jerusalem Post. 31 May 2024. Retrieved 8 June 2024.
  26. ^ Lazaroff, Tovah (25 December 2023). "Netanyahu asks China to help free Hamas hostage Noa Argamani". The Jerusalem Post.
  27. ^ Eichner, Itamar (8 June 2024). "'Only half Chinese': China refused to help secure release of Noa Argamani". Ynet.
  28. ^ "A Japanese artist has launched a Manga booklet about Noa Argamani, calling for the release of the hostages". 31 May 2024.
  29. ^ a b c Boxerman, Aaron; Abdulrahim, Raja; Lohr, Steve (8 June 2024). "Israel Rescues 4 Hostages in Assault That Killed Scores of Gazans". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 8 June 2024.
  30. ^ a b "Israel rescues four hostages from Gaza 'in good medical condition'". Sky News. Retrieved 8 June 2024.
  31. ^ a b c "Rescued hostages said suffering from malnutrition; leaning on each other for support". The Times of Israel. 10 June 2024. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
  32. ^ https://www.timesofisrael.com/rescued-hostages-were-beaten-almost-every-day-says-doctor-who-treated-them/
  33. ^ Barber, Harriet; Smith, Benedict (8 June 2024). "'We've come to take you home': Noa Argamani's 245 days of captivity are finally over". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 9 June 2024.
  34. ^ Reporter, Natalie Venegas Weekend (8 June 2024). "Noa Argamani video shows hostage's emotional reunion with father". Newsweek. Retrieved 9 June 2024.
  35. ^ Supplied, Source (8 June 2024). "Freed Israeli hostage Noa Argamani is reunited with her father – video". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 8 June 2024.
  36. ^ Presse, AFP-Agence France. "Israeli Rescued Hostage Argamani Speaks On Phone With President Herzog". www.barrons.com. Retrieved 9 June 2024.
  37. ^ "Noa Argamani freed in time to see her terminally ill mother". Reuters. 9 June 2024. Retrieved 9 June 2024.
  38. ^ Ciechanover, Yael (11 June 2024). "Noa Argamani meets mother of partner still held hostage". Ynet.
  39. ^ Spector, Dana (19 April 2024). "'It's more than Romeo and Juliet, Avinatan had many opportunities to escape, but he followed Noa'". Ynet.
  40. ^ "Noa Argamani: IDF spotters were 'held as slaves' in a luxury villa in Gaza, then taken into tunnels". i24News. 15 June 2024. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  41. ^ Dunne, John (10 June 2024). "Israeli hostage freed in raid 'did not see daylight for 245 days'". Evening Standard. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  42. ^ "Dressed as an Arab woman: The untold captivity story of Noa Argamani - report". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. 9 June 2024. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
  43. ^ a b "Rescued Israeli hostage says she thought every night in captivity might be her last". Agence France-Presse. 21 August 2024.
  44. ^ "Freed Israeli captive Noa Argamani says she was wounded by Israel, not Hamas". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
  45. ^ admin (23 August 2024). "'They Did Not Hit Me' - Former Prisoner Argamani Challenges Israeli Media over Distorted Claims". Palestine Chronicle. Retrieved 24 August 2024.
  46. ^ "Liora Argamani, mother of Noa who was held captive in Gaza for 246 days, dies from cancer". Israel Hayom. 2 July 2024.
  47. ^ Arkin, Daniel. "Noa Argamani, face of Israeli hostage crisis, draws standing ovation during Benjamin Netanyahu's speech to Congress". NBC News.
  48. ^ Kempinski, Yoni (24 July 2024). "Netanyahu responds to attacks on Noa Argamani: Is there no limit to the lunacy?".
  49. ^ New, Moshe (26 July 2024). "Noa Argamani, Recently Freed From Gaza, Visits Ohel in Appreciation". Chabad.
  50. ^ Eichner, Itamar (26 July 2024). "Rescued hostage Noa Argamani visits Lubavitcher Rebbe's grave in New York". Ynet.
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