“Because of Arnon, we are here,” Noa Argamani said in a video released by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum Saturday evening.
In the video, Argamani thanked the IDF and urged the return of the remaining 120 individuals in Hamas captivity.
“My name is Noa Argamani, I was kidnapped to Gaza on October 7. I was in Hamas captivity for eight months before being rescued by the security forces on June 8,” Argamani began.
“As an only child and as a child to a mother with a terminal illness, my biggest worry in captivity was for my parents. It’s a great privilege to be here after 246 days in captivity,” she continued.
“It is a great privilege to be by my mother’s side after eight months of uncertainty. It’s a great privilege to see my parents surrounded by so many good people. I want to thank the security forces, our army, the soldiers, reservists, special forces and everyone who took part in the rescue operation and risked their lives so that I could return home,” she said.
Noa mourns with Arnon's family
“I mourn with the family of Arnon Zmora, who fell during the rescue operation of myself and three other hostages. My heart is with his family. Arnon is the hero of Israel, and because of him, we are here,” she added.
Ch.-Insp. Zmora, 36, was part of the National Counterterrorism Unit (Yamam) of the Israel Police. He was fatally wounded during the daring operation in Nuseirat camp in which Argamani was rescued, along with three others in a separate building which he stormed at the head of his unit. He was survived by his wife and two children.
After this, Argamani said that she wanted to remind those watching that 120 still remain in Hamas captivity, including her partner Avinatan Or, with whom she was abducted to Gaza.
“Although I am at home now, we cannot forget the hostages who are still in Hamas captivity, and we must do everything possible to bring them back home,” she declared.
At the end of her video, she said, “I wish for all of us to have more peaceful days, quieter days, for us to be surrounded by family, friends, and good people. Most importantly, may we learn to love and not hate.”