Mother of Former Hostage Noa Argamani Dies Shortly After Daughter’s Rescue

Edited by: TJVNews.com

The mother of Noa Argamani, the Israeli hostage who became a poignant symbol of Hamas’s October 7 attack, has died of brain cancer just over three weeks after her daughter was rescued from captivity in the Gaza Strip, as was reported by NBCNews.com on Tuesday. The Ichilov Medical Center in Tel Aviv confirmed Liora Argamani’s death in a statement on Tuesday, noting that she passed away “after a long battle with cancer.”

Liora Argamani’s final days were spent in the company of her daughter Noa, who had recently returned from captivity, according to the NBCNews.com report.

Noa Argamani, 26, from Be’er Sheva, was attending the Nova music festival in southern Israel on October 7th when she was abducted by Hamas terrorists. The dramatic abduction, captured on video, showed Noa being taken away on a motorcycle. NBC News reported that her ordeal lasted until June 8, when she was one of four hostages rescued by the IDF in a daytime raid on two houses in the Nuseirat refugee camp in Gaza.

The circumstances of Noa’s abduction were further complicated by NBC News’ findings in December. The investigation suggested that Noa was likely abducted not directly by Hamas but by Gazans who infiltrated Israel following the initial attack. This revelation added another layer to the complex narrative of her captivity and rescue.

Noa’s capture and subsequent rescue highlighted the harrowing experiences faced by hostages and the intense efforts undertaken for their release. NBC News reported that her mother, Liora, became a vocal figure during this period, making emotional appeals for her daughter’s release, aware of her own limited time left due to her illness.

In a heartfelt video released in November, Liora Argamani pleaded for the release of her daughter, expressing her desire to see Noa once more before her death. “I wish for the chance to see my Noa, at home. I call upon President Biden and the Red Cross to bring back my Noa as soon as possible so that I get the chance to see her,” she implored, underscoring the urgency and desperation felt by families of captives.

“Noa,” Liora said in the emotional video, “if I don’t get to see you, please know that I love you so much. Please know we did everything we could to get you released. The whole world loves you.” This message of love and determination resonated deeply as images of Noa, taken during her abduction, circulated worldwide. The 10-second video showing her screaming while being carried away on a motorcycle became a stark representation of the human cost of conflict.

The passing of Liora Argamani marks a tragic end to a family’s ordeal that had captured the nation’s attention. Her death, so soon after the joyous but emotionally fraught reunion with her daughter, adds another layer of sorrow to the broader narrative of conflict and loss in the region.

Throughout her ordeal, Noa became a beacon for the broader crisis of hostages in Gaza. Following her return home, she used her platform to remind the world of the continuing plight of approximately 120 hostages, mostly Israelis, still held in Gaza. NBC News reported that in a video released on a Saturday, Noa urged the international community not to forget those still in captivity. “Although I’m home now, we can’t forget about the hostages who are still in Hamas captivity, and we must do everything possible to bring them back home,” she emphasized.