- Noa Argamani, 26, was kidnapped from the Nova music festival on October 7
Hamas has published a ‘psychological terror’ video of what is believed to be the voice of Noa Argamani, sparking outcry from her family and campaigners who have called for the government to bring her and the other hostages in Gaza home.
The 26-year-old student was kidnapped from the Nova music festival during the deadly October 7 terror attack and taken into Gaza along with around 250 other hostages.
Video of Noa being kidnapped on the back of a motorcycle became symbolic of the horrors faced by civilians at the festival and across southern Israel when the violence erupted.
She later appeared in a chilling hostage video in January, speaking to camera alongside fellow captives Yossi Sharabi, 53, and Itai Svirsky, 38. The two men were later reported to have been killed, with Noa forced to announce their deaths.
In new audio, what appears to be Noa’s voice can be heard, accompanied with drawings which her family believe were done by the young woman.
In new audio, what appears to be Noa’s voice can be heard, accompanied with drawings which her family believe were done by the young woman
Noa Argamani was kidnapped by Hamas from the Nova festival on October 7 and filmed being driven across the desert
Noa appeared in a chilling hostage video in January, speaking to camera alongside fellow captives Yossi Sharabi and Itai Svirsky. The two men were later reported to have been killed
The voice identified as Noa can be heard saying: ‘I am imprisoned with Al-Qassam Brigades [the armed wing of Hamas].
‘I have been in captivity for more than 237 days and do not know till when.
‘I say to the people of Israel: Have you become government partners with Netanyahu, Gallant and Gantz? Will my fate together with my colleagues be like Ron Arad’s fate?’
Ron Arad was an Israeli airman who bailed out of his plane during a mission over southern Lebanon in 1986 and was taken hostage. Israel has tried to locate him for decades but he is now presumed dead.
The Argamani Family initially released a statement via the Hostages & Missing Families Forum shortly after the video began circulating asking that it not be broadcast.
But soon after, the forum provided the following statement, allowing the publication of the video with the family’s approval.
Noa, who is 26, was kidnapped from the Nova music festival on October 7 and taken into Gaza
‘After assessing the situation and receiving additional information, the Argamani family has approved the use of a video in which Noa Argamani was heard while being held hostage by Hamas,’ it said.
‘Alongside Noa’s voice, drawings are shown, which the family believes to be scribbles that Noa has drawn.’
The forum statement continued, saying, ‘125 men and women have been held hostage by Hamas for 238 days. The Israeli government must hear the call and act decisively, without the need for any propaganda video from Hamas, to swiftly reach a deal to bring the hostages home!’
Noa’s mother Liora Argamani has stage 4 brain cancer and has repeatedly expressed her desire to see her daughter again.
Noa’s mother Liora Argamani has stage 4 brain cancer and has repeatedly expressed her desire to see her daughter again
The young woman is among more than 100 people who are believed to still be being held hostage in Gaza. She is one of just 19 women that are still being held by the terror group.
Some of the survivors who have been released from Gaza during the hostage exchange and ceasefire deal in November have described being tortured, sexually assaulted and starved in captivity.
Noa’s current location is unknown. Israel regards all hostage videos as a form of psychological warfare.
The clip of her voice is the third hostage video released this week, with the previous two reportedly released by Palestinian terror group Islamic Jihad.