Freed Israeli hostages Noa Argamani and Avinatan Or reunite after two years, express joy and gratitude

It was one of the most iconic and heartwrenching scenes from the Hamas-led massacre in southern Israeli communities on Oct. 7, 2023: Noa Argamani was kidnapped, forced onto a motorbike, and snatched away from her boyfriend, Avinatan Or, who could only watch helplessly.

The expressions on their faces told a thousand words, their anguish and horror felt by the watching world. Now the two are together again for the first time since that terrible day.

After Monday’s historic homecoming of the remaining living hostages in Gaza, Argamani shared her thoughts and feelings of seeing Or again for the first time.

Her Instagram post gives a glimpse into the horrors of what they went through in their time apart, and expresses her profound gratitude to be reunited:

“Two years,” Argamani began. “Two years have passed since the last moment I saw my beloved Avinatan. Two years have passed since the moment terrorists kidnapped us, put me on a motorcycle, and tore me away from Avinatan before the eyes of the whole world.

From that moment, our journeys began separately. I was held captive with children, women, and the elderly, while Avinatan was always alone. I was mostly kept inside houses, while Avinatan was only in tunnels.

Hamas published videos and 'signs of life' from me, while there was no information whatsoever about Avinatan. I was held by Hamas for 246 days, while Avinatan was there for 738 days. I returned through a rescue operation, and Avinatan returned through a deal. But both of us – against all odds – came home and were reunited again!

I cannot put into words the range of emotions I felt when I saw him for the first time after so long. Each of us had faced death countless times, and yet, after two years apart, we are finally taking our first step together in the State of Israel.

At last, we can both begin our recovery together. The road to healing is still long, and we have yet to truly process what has happened over these past two years – but we have won. We have triumphed in our personal war and in the struggle shared by all those who fought alongside us to reach this moment. And now, the time has come to begin our shared journey together.”

Argamani, like so many others, expressed her overflowing joy with thanks and appreciation for everyone involved in the efforts to finally bring all the hostages home – not just in recent days, but all those involved in the battle that has been raging for two years both on the frontlines and on the homefront.

“I want to say an enormous thank you first and foremost to the soldiers and security forces who have been fighting for so long and risk their lives for us every single day. Thank you to my family, my friends, and everyone who raised their voices when we could not speak.”

In addition to the prominent politicians involved in the deal, Argamani highlighted the important part ordinary people have played, exerting pressure to push for the release of the hostages.

“To all the people of Israel and the entire world who embraced us, to all the wonderful people who supported us through the hardest times and never lost hope during this long period; to the U.S. government that opened its doors to me and was always there to listen. Especially to President Trump, Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner, who stood by us to bring Avinatan and all the hostages home and helped us overcome the darkness.”

Although every living hostage is now safely back in Israel, Hamas have not yet released all of the bodies of those who have been killed. Before ending her message of thanks, Argamani expressed the importance of making sure every one of the dead are also returned.

“We will never forget the fallen and the murdered, and we will not stop fighting until every fallen hero is brought home for a proper burial in Israel. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

None of this could ever have happened without you. We are back.”