Mother Of Israeli Hostage Noa Argamani Dies Less Than A Month After Rescue

Noa Argamani, an Israeli hostage, was recently rescued after eight months in Hamas captivity in Gaza. Her mother, Liora Argamani, who battled brain cancer, passed away at 61, just three weeks after Noa's dramatic rescue. In a video last December, Liora pleaded with Hamas to release her daughter, expressing her heartfelt desire to see Noa at home before her time ran out.
 

Noa was rescued on June 8 when Israeli commandos raided an apartment in Nuseirat refugee camp, central Gaza, where she was held. Alongside three other hostages rescued from a nearby apartment, Noa's ordeal ended. A widely recognized image shows Noa being forcefully taken away on a motorcycle by Hamas gunmen during their attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
 

251 people, including Israelis and foreigners, were taken hostage by Hamas during a border attack that resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths. This incident sparked a war between Israel and Hamas. According to Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry, at least 37,900 people have died in Israel's military offensive in Gaza. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum expressed sorrow over Liora's passing, who was among those taken hostage on October 7.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed deep sadness for the passing of Liora Argamani, saying he and his wife share in the family's sadness. At a protest in Tel Aviv for the release of remaining hostages, a video message from Noa, who had been rescued, was shown. She talked about her time in captivity, feeling glad to be back with her very sick mother after 246 days in Hamas captivity.
 

Hamas and allied groups still hold 116 hostages, including Noa's boyfriend Avinatan Or, taken on October 7. Israeli authorities presume at least 42 hostages have died. Others have been released, rescued, or found deceased. Since 2014 and 2015, four other Israelis have been held hostage; two are presumed deceased.