27-8-2024 (TEL AVIV) Noa Argamani, a survivor of the October 7 Hamas attack and subsequent captivity, hosted a large summer party to celebrate her “return to life”. The event, held on Friday, marked a bittersweet milestone for the 26-year-old, who spent 246 harrowing days as a hostage in Gaza before her dramatic rescue.
The gathering, which brought together family and friends, served as a testament to Argamani’s indomitable spirit and her desire to embrace life anew. However, the festivities were tinged with a sense of unfinished business, as Argamani used the occasion to call for the release of the remaining hostages, including her boyfriend, Avinatan Or.
Speaking to the assembled guests in a video aired by Channel 12, Argamani acknowledged the complex emotions surrounding the celebration. “It’s not ideal that we’re having this party while there’s still a war in the background,” she said, “while our soldiers are on the battlefield, while there are still 109 hostages there in Gaza, including my partner, Avinatan Or, whom we miss terribly.”
I love this! Noa Argamani *is* dancing again.
In her yellow????️bikini. pic.twitter.com/fVcyAXgWfY
— dahlia kurtz ✡︎ דליה קורץ (@DahliaKurtz) August 25, 2024
Despite these sobering realities, Argamani emphasised the importance of cherishing life’s moments. “I’m happy to celebrate life itself with all of you,” she added, “to remember that we have to value every day in this life, we have to celebrate every moment that we’re here.”
The party featured touching scenes of Argamani dancing with her father, Yaakov, as attendees lifted them in celebration. A large banner bearing Or’s image hung overhead, emblazoned with the hopeful message, “We will dance again.” The event also paid tribute to Argamani’s mother, Liora, who tragically passed away from brain cancer just weeks after being reunited with her daughter.
Argamani’s ordeal began on October 7, when she was captured during Hamas’ attack on the Supernova music festival. A viral video of her screaming for her boyfriend as she was taken away on a motorcycle became a haunting symbol of the terror attack that claimed 364 lives at the desert rave.
Her liberation came on June 8, as part of a daring daylight mission that saw Israeli forces raid a Hamas compound to rescue four hostages. Since her release, Argamani has become a vocal advocate for a hostage exchange deal between Israel and Hamas, tirelessly working to secure the freedom of Or and the other captives.
The celebration followed Argamani’s recent trip to Tokyo, where she addressed G7 diplomats, recounting the horrors of October 7 and her captivity in Gaza. During her speech, she described her survival as a “miracle,” including an alleged Israeli bombing of one of her holding locations.
