We awoke on Saturday to news that brought hope to people around the world who have prayed for the safe return of the Israeli hostages seized on October 7.
Eight months after they were captured, Noa Argamani, 26, Andrey Kozlov, 27, Almog Meir Jan, 22, and Shlomi Ziv, 41, all of whom were kidnapped at the Nova Music Festival, were rescued in a daring and heroic mission mounted by the IDF, working with other Israeli security agencies. The U.S. provided intelligence and logistical support.
In Israel, news outlets broke the quiet of the Sabbath to issue live reports as the hostages were reunited with their families.
In February, the families of seven hostages—including relatives of Noa Argamani—traveled to Colorado to highlight the plight of their family members in conversations with Governor Jared Polis, lawmakers in the Colorado State Legislature, and Colorado citizens.
Israeli hostage families on the floor of the Colorado State Senate
JEWISHcolorado arranged for the father of Noa Argamani to be interviewed by KCNC-TV, and JEWISHcolorado also published an interview with Noa’s cousin. Today, the words he said to us about Noa seem truly prophetic.
“I think Noa’s personality will help her survive. She has traveled all over the world by herself—to South America, India, Sri Lanka. She is a strong independent woman. I think she gets that from her mother.
“Noa’s mother is very sick with a brain tumor. Even with her medical condition she is the strongest person in the family, but time is running out for her, and time is running out for Noa. I am here to tell people, ‘Don’t forget Noa, and don’t forget Noa and her mother. They must see each other again.’”
Arnon Zamora
Sadly, the Yamam Squad Commander Arnon Zamora who led the force which rescued the hostages, was injured in the battle and has died of his wounds. Yamam is Israel’s National Counterterrorism Unit. The IDF described Arnon Zamora, 36, as a “brave and valuable officer who left behind a wife and two children. On October 7th, he led the battle at the Yad Mordechai Junction, eliminating dozens of terrorists and preventing the terrorists from infiltrating northwards. He then went on to fight in the battle at Kibbutz Nahal Oz and Kibbutz Be’eri.” And he led the heroic rescue operation, now called Operation Arnon, of four hostages in the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip.
“Bring them home now!” That world-wide plea has now been fulfilled for Noa, Andrey, Almog and Shlomi. So today, we shed tears of joy for four hostages who now stand on Israeli soil in the warm embrace of their family and friends.
We also continue to pray for 120 hostages still in captivity. May their morning of hope come soon.