Israel has received the first sign of life from Avinatan Or – Noa Argamani’s partner – since Hamas captured him 523 days ago, Hebrew media reported last night.
A recently released hostage told Israeli authorities that they saw Avinatan alive while they were in captivity, according to Israel’s Channel 12.
Avinatan, 32, is one of the 24 hostages whom Israel believes remain alive in the Strip. The group comprises 22 Israelis, one Thai, and one Nepali.
Israeli Noa Argamani, speaks during a meeting with G7 embassy representatives during a visit to Tokyo (Image: Getty)AFP via Getty Images
The network did not identify which freed hostage encountered Avinatan, nor when the individual hostage encountered him.
This is the first sign of life Avinatan’s family has received since his capture on October 7 alongside his partner Noa, who was subsequently rescued during an Israeli military operation last June.
A video posted on Telegram by Hamas that showed Avinatan and Noa as they were abducted near Kibbutz Re’im attracted global attention, with stills of the video featuring on front pages around the world.
After the apparent sign of life from Avinatan, Noa, who has campaigned relentlessly on behalf of her fellow hostages since her release, posted on Instagram, that “until Avinatan comes back, my heart is in captivity.”
Avinatan, who grew up in the West Bank settlement of Shilo, is an electrical engineer and works for Nvidia. Before his abduction, he lived in Tel Aviv, where he and Argamani were Noa planned to move in together.
The freed hostages also described to Channel 12 severe detention conditions, being deprived of food and being given minimal water.
The apparent sign of life from Avinatan was reported after US Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs, Adam Boehler, held direct talks with Hamas in an attempt to free the remaining hostages in Gaza, despite a long-standing American policy against negotiating with terrorists.
The Israeli negotiating delegation prolonged their stay in Doha this week to facilitate continued talks at the request of US Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff.
