The girlfriend of finally-freed hostage Avinatan Or said Tuesday the couple both got out of Gaza “against all odds” after they were horrifically separated and kidnapped by Hamas during the Oct. 7 terror attack.
Noa Argamani celebrated the return of the “love of my life” in a heartfelt statement, which stated they both “faced down death countless times” while in captivity.
The couple had become a symbol of Hamas depravity when footage showed them being hauled back to the Palestinian enclave while the Nova music festival was under attack.
Hostage Avinatan Or was finally reunited with girlfriend Noa Argamani on Monday after their kidnappings made them one of the most painful illustrations of the horrors of Oct. 7. X / @ArgamaniNoa“I was held captive by Hamas for 246 days, while Avinatan was held for 738 days. I came back in a heroic rescue operation, and Avinatan returned in a deal,” she wrote on social media.
“But both of us, against all odds, came home and were reunited!”
Released Israeli hostage Avinatan Or greets a crowd upon his return home. AFP via Getty ImagesThe touching reunion was sealed by a kiss Monday as Argamani, 28, sported a bright smile. Additional footage released by officials showed the two tightly embracing when they first saw each other again.
Argamani was rescued during a daring operation by the Israel Defense Forces in June 2024.
She was saved by an elite force inside an apartment building and was one of four hostages taken back to safety.
Noa Argamani’s post after being reunited with her boyfriend.
Since her rescue, she’s strongly advocated for the release of the rest of the hostages languishing in Gaza.
“I cannot put into words the range of emotions I felt when I saw him for the first time after so long,” Argamani said Tuesday.
“Each of us faced death countless times, and yet, after two years apart, we are finally taking our first steps together again in the State of Israel.”
Or, 32, was returned along with 20 other living hostages Monday as part of a breakthrough truce deal between Israel and Hamas.
Avinatan Or and Noa Argamani share a tender moment. Israel Gpo/UPI/ShutterstockThe US-brokered agreement has led to hope in the Middle East that fighting between Hamas and Israel will subside.
Argamani thanked President Trump — lauding him as “exceptional” — his Middle East special convoy Steve Witkoff, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and the US government for their roles in achieving the hostage deal that also resulted in the release of scores of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
“At last, we can begin our healing together. The recovery will be long; we still haven’t truly processed what has happened here over these past two years,” she said.
“But we won. We won our personal war, and the war of all those who fought alongside us to reach this moment. And now, the time has come to begin our shared journey together.”
