Hope Restored: From Captivity to Homecoming
Israel rejoiced Monday as the final living Hamas hostages were released after two years in captivity. Among them was Avinatan Or, taken with his girlfriend, Noa Argamani, during the October 7, 2023, attack at the Nova music festival. Noa was rescued months earlier, and the two were finally reunited—frail but smiling through tears. Their embrace became a moving picture of love that endures through suffering and a nation’s reminder that God’s light still breaks through the darkest night.
Noa Argamani (left), 28, was reunited yesterday with her boyfriend, Avinatan Or, after both were kidnapped by Hamas terrorists during the October 7, 2023, attack. The world watched in horror as Noa was forced onto the back of a motorbike, crying out for help and pleading for her life. Avinatan, 32, reportedly had several chances to escape but refused to abandon Noa, choosing instead to remain by her side and share her fate, according to news sources in Israel. While Noa was rescued on June 8, 2024, Avinatan remained in captivity until his release yesterday—bringing the long-awaited couple’s reunion at last.
Noa Argamani her boyfriend, Avinatan Or, spent hours hiding in a ditch at the Nova music festival on October 7, 2023, when Hamas terrorists from Gaza descended in a deadly raid. After they were discovered, Noa was taken away on a motorbike toward Gaza, crying, “Don’t kill me!” as she reached out her arms for Avinatan.
He was taken as well, reportedly giving up an opportunity to escape because he wouldn’t leave her behind. Noa was freed during an Israeli military operation on June 8, 2024; Avinatan was released from captivity on Monday with 19 other hostages—photographed with a wide smile, pumping his fist in victory. When he later reunited with Noa, the two clung tightly to each other, as if they couldn’t let go.
After 738 days of captivity, the remaining 20 living Israeli hostages from the October 7, 2023, terrorist attacks were released by Hamas as part of the Gaza peace plan brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump along with leaders from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey. On Monday, the last day of the Jewish seven-day holiday of Feast of Tabernacles, Israelis across the nation cheered jubilantly, waving Israeli and U.S. flags while holding photos of hostages and signs that read, “They’re coming home!”
Collected near the Gaza border, the weak and gaunt hostages aged 21-48 walked on their own volition to Red Cross trucks and were reunited with their families before being flown to hospitals for evaluation and treatment. Tears of joy streamed down the faces of families, friends, and onlookers who watched the exuberant embraces. After two years of hopeful waiting, praying, petitioning, and activism, families welcomed home the men who had endured horrific conditions during captivity.
A day after her partner Avinatan Or was freed from Hamas captivity, Noa Argamani on Tuesday posted a deeply emotional message on Instagram, sharing new photos of their first moments together—two years after being violently separated on October 7, 2023.
“Two years … two years have passed since I last saw the love of my life, Avinatan,” she wrote. “Two years since terrorists kidnapped us, put me on a motorcycle, and tore us apart before the eyes of the world. From that moment, our journeys began separately.
“I was held with children, women, and elderly people, while Avinatan was alone the entire time,” Noa continued. “I was mostly kept inside homes, while he was held only in tunnels. Hamas released videos and proof of life of me, while there was no information about Avinatan. I spent 246 days in captivity, while he spent 738. I came back in a rescue operation—and he returned in a deal. But against all odds, we both made it home and were reunited!”
In another Instagram post, Noa described the overwhelming emotions of their reunion. “I can’t put into words the range of emotions I felt seeing him again after so long. Each of us faced death countless times, and yet after two years apart, we are finally taking our first step together in Israel. We can finally begin our rehabilitation together. It’s still a long road ahead, we haven’t truly processed what we went through in these past two years, but we won.
“We won our personal war,” Noa added, “and the war of the entire world that fought alongside us to reach this moment. Now it’s time to start our shared journey. I want to say a huge thank-you first to the soldiers and security forces who have been fighting and risking their lives for us every day. Thank you to our families, friends, and everyone who raised their voices for us when we couldn’t speak. To all of Israel and the world who embraced us, to the incredible people who supported us through the darkest times and never lost hope. To the U.S. administration, which opened doors for me and was always there to listen.
“At the time, I wrote, ‘Until Avinatan comes home, my heart remains in captivity.’” Argamani reported that “he was held for most of his captivity in central camps under extremely harsh conditions. He was systematically starved and severely abused. According to an initial medical report, he lost between 30% and 40% of his body weight.”
In Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s televised speech to his nation on Saturday, October 12, he drew from Jeremiah 31:17 as he announced, “This is an emotional evening, an evening of tears, an evening of joy because tomorrow, sons will return to their borders. This is an historic event that blends sorrows over the release of murderers and joy over the return of hostages.” PM Netanyahu and his wife Sara penned handwritten notes included in each of the hostage’s welcome kits that included clothing, personal items, a laptop, a tablet, and a cell phone to help reintegrate into the community.
“Refrain your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears; for your work shall be rewarded, says the Lord, and they shall come back from the land of the enemy. There is hope in your future, says the Lord, that your children shall come back to their own border.” Jeremiah 31:16-18
In compliance with the first phase of the peace plan, Israel freed 1,968 prisoners, mostly Palestinians, in exchange for all 48 remaining hostages, alive and dead. The ceasefire agreement indicated that all deceased hostages were to be released by noon Monday. However, a contingency is provided for Hamas and other Palestinian factions who may be unable to locate all the deceased within the timeframe. Only four were returned.
Please Pray
While we rejoice with Israel upon the return of their captives, let us continue to pray for the hostages as they begin their difficult journey of healing and reintegration into society and freedom. Pray that the remains of those who are still unlocated will be returned for a proper burial as their loved ones seek closure. And may the hearts of those in the Middle East—and Israel—seek the Lord while He may be found. While current world leaders are proclaiming lasting peace, the Bible prophesies of true enduring peace between nations when Jesus returns to rule the earth.
“In those days and at that time I will cause to grow up to David a Branch of righteousness; He shall execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will dwell safely. And this is the name by which she will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.” Jeremiah 33:15-16
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