A woman who pleaded for the release of her daughter held hostage by Hamas has died from brain cancer less than a month after she was rescued.
Noa Argamani was kidnapped from the Nova music festival in October and video of her being taken away on a motorbike made headlines around the world.
Her mother, Liora, 61, said she wanted to see her only child again before she died.
The image of Noa being kidnapped became one of the most recognisable of 7 October
Liora Argamani with family about six weeks after her daughter was kidnapped. Pic: Reuters
She finally got her wish last month when Noa was among four hostages rescued from Gaza by Israeli forces.
Hours after her release, the 26-year-old visited the Tel Aviv hospital where her mother was being treated for stage-four cancer.
At Tuesday’s funeral, Noa praised her mother for not giving up.
“Thank you for being strong and holding on all this time, just so I could see you at least one more time,” she said.
“Against all odds I was privileged to be with you in your last moments, talk with you, laugh with you,” Noa added.
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Rescued hostage calls for return of captives
It comes days after Noa spoke publicly for the first time in a video calling for the release of the other Israelis taken in the October terror attack.
Her boyfriend, Avinatan Or, remains a hostage.
Ms Argamani said she wanted to “remind everyone that there are still 120 hostages in Hamas captivity”.
She also thanked the Israeli forces who rescued her.
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Noa Argaman reunited with father after rescue
Arnon Zamora, an officer in an elite police commando unit, died after being wounded in the operation.
About 1,200 people died in the 7 October Hamas attack and some 250 were kidnapped, though dozens were released in a deal late last year.
About a third of those still being held in Gaza are believed to be dead.
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Israel‘s offensive as it tries to wipe out Hamas has killed least 37,900 people, according to Palestinian officials.
It’s provoked condemnation from many countries, as well as the United Nations, and concern over the plight of masses of displaced people.
Israel insists it takes utmost care to protect civilians but says Hamas fighters deliberately embed themselves amongst Gaza’s densely packed population.