Freed Hostage Noa Argamani Reunites with Terminally Ill Mother in Hospital after Eight-Month Captivity in Gaza
Noa Argamani, a 26-year-old hostage who was held captive by Hamas in Gaza for eight months, was rescued by Israeli special forces and reunited with her family at a Tel Aviv hospital.
Argamani was one of the most recognized hostages, with footage of her pleading for her life during her capture circulating globally.
Her boyfriend, Avinatan Or, remains in captivity.
Argamani expressed her happiness upon her return in a phone call with Israel's president.
A mother, Liora, who has been in the hospital at Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center for terminal brain cancer, was reunited with her daughter, Argamani, who was abducted and released after a terror attack at a music festival in October.
Liora expressed her desire to hug her daughter in a previous interview.
Hospital CEO Ronni Gamzu described Liora's condition as complicated and tough, but believed she understood that her daughter had returned home.
The hospital staff had been trying to keep Liora in a communicative state for the past eight months.
Argamani's father, Yaakov, was surprised and happy to meet her after she was brought back to Israel following the Nova dance festival attack by helicopter.
Over 360 people were killed and 40 were taken hostage by Hamas during the attack, according to Israeli reports.
Thousands of Israelis gathered near a hospital in central Tel Aviv, now known as hostage square, to commemorate the rescue of the four hostages and demand the release of over 115 people still held captive in Gaza.