Noa Argamani, the freed Israeli hostage who was kidnapped from a music festival during the Oct. 7 terrorist attack and held in Gaza until June, celebrated her freedom this week by returning to the dance floor.
Video posted to Instagram on Friday by the Israeli television program « Erev Tov » shows Argamani, 26, addressing a day party from the DJ booth before grooving atop a man’s shoulders opposite her father, Yaakov, amid a packed dance floor.
She addressed whether a celebration was suitable when dozens of hostages remain in Gaza following the Oct. 7 attack that sparked war between Israel and Hamas militants.
« It’s true that it’s not ideal to have this party while there’s still a war going on, with our soldiers still on the battlefield, and 109 hostages still in Gaza, including my partner Avinatan Or, whom I miss terribly, » Argamani said while holding a microphone.
At least a third of those who remain in captivity are believed to be dead, according to Israeli officials.
The party was titled « Return to Life » and featured a large graphic image of Or with the words, « We will dance again. »
Argamani said she believes in celebrating life when you can.
« I am happy to celebrate life itself with all of you, » Argamani said. « We must appreciate every day of this life, and we should celebrate every moment we are here. »
Argamani’s story and image became known around the world after she was taken from the Nova music festival in southern Israel, along with her boyfriend, in an abduction that was caught on video. She became the face of those abducted by Hamas militants once a 10-second clip of her being transported against her will by motorcycle went viral.
Argamani was one of four hostages rescued by Israeli forces in a daytime raid on June 8.
That raid left a trail of death and destruction in its wake, killing more than 274 people, including dozens of children, in the area of the Nuseirat refugee camp, according to local health officials.
Argamani expressed gratitude for her rescue, especially because she was able to see her mother, who died from brain cancer three weeks after the raid.
She has become an advocate for the release of the remaining hostages, and in July, she represented them in Congress during a speech by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Talks between Israel and Hamas to secure a cease-fire and the release of hostages resumed in Cairo on Thursday, with President Joe Biden’s top Middle East adviser, Brett McGurk, at the table, a source confirmed.
Argamani was in Tokyo this week speaking to representatives of G7 countries and Israel, recounting her more than eight months as a captive.
“It’s a miracle that I’m here,” she said. « Avinatan, my boyfriend, is still there, and we need to bring them back before it’s going to be too late. »
More than 40,000 people have been killed in Gaza since Israel launched its offensive in the enclave following Hamas’ Oct. 7 terror attacks, local officials say. Some 1,200 people were killed and around 250 others taken hostage in the Hamas assault, according to Israeli officials, marking a major escalation in a decadeslong conflict.
F. Brinley Bruton , Colin Sheeley and Anisha Banerjee contributed.
