Mother of freed Hamas hostage Noa Argamani dies
Approximately three weeks ago, an Israeli special unit freed Noa Argamani from Hamas' custody after months of captivity. Now, the mother of the rescued woman is battling cancer. Her last wish has been granted.
Three weeks after the liberation of Noa Argamani, her seriously ill mother, from Hamas' control in the Gaza Strip, passed away. The Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv and the Geiselfamilien Forum confirmed her death. She was reportedly 61 years old.
Benny Gantz, formerly a member of the now disbanded War Cabinet, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed their condolences to Noa and her father. Liora had publicly pleaded in heart-wrenching videos for the opportunity to see her abducted daughter one last time before her death. Three weeks ago, an Israeli special unit rescued the 25-year-old Noa, along with three other hostages, from the grip of the Islamist Hamas.
The fate of the young Israeli woman abducted from the Nova Music Festival had touched the country and many beyond for a long time. Recordings of her being kidnapped on a motorcycle and desperately pleading for help circulated around the world. Her then-abducted boyfriend is still being held captive in the Gaza Strip.
At a demonstration against the Israeli government, Noa made her first public appeal against hate during the weekend following her release. "I wish us all peaceful days, quiet days, where we are surrounded by family, friends, and good people. The most important thing is that we learn to love and not to hate," she said in a video message shown at a rally in the coastal metropolis of Tel Aviv on Saturday.
Following Noa Argamani's release, tensions between Hamas and Israel in the Middle East conflict continued to escalate, leading to further deaths. Despite the international outcry and intense negotiations, Hamas has yet to release Noa's kidnapped boyfriend. In the midst of these political tensions, Tel Aviv's annual peace summit made a strong plea for dialogue to prevent hostage takings and promote unity.
