The mother of former hostage No'a Argamani died of brain cancer. Her last wish was fulfilled by the rescue of her daughter.
Nearly three and a half weeks after her daughter's release from captivity, Liora Argamani has died of cancer. Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv announced her death on Tuesday morning. She was 61 years old. Her daughter, No'a, was abducted from the Nova Festival and taken to the Gaza Strip on October 7.
“Liora, of blessed memory, spent her last days at the side of her daughter No’a, who had returned from captivity, and her closest family,” the clinic said in a statement. “We pass on the family’s request to respect their privacy during these difficult hours. We share in the grief of the Argamani family. May her memory be a blessing.”
No'a is one of four hostages rescued by Israeli soldiers on June 8. One of the rescuers later recounted that the first thing she asked was about her mother's condition: "No'a was sitting trembling in the vehicle, and then she looked at me and asked, 'Is my mother alive?' I answered, 'Yes.' She looked at everyone and asked, 'Are you sure?'"
After arriving in Israel, the 26-year-old was first examined at Sheba Hospital near Tel Aviv. A few hours later, she was able to see her terminally ill mother again at Ichilov Hospital.
Biden appeals
During her captivity, she appealed to international leaders. She wrote to US President Joe Biden: "I have terminal cancer, brain cancer, stage 4," the news site "Arutz Sheva" quoted from the letter. "All that goes through my mind before I say goodbye to my family forever is the desire to hug my daughter, my only child, one last time."
On the occasion of her birthday, she asked the Democrat for one gift: "to see my daughter before I leave this world." No'a deserved to see her mother one last time.
Furthermore, in November Liora Argamani released a moving video in which she appealed to the international community to help her fulfill her heartfelt wish.
No'a was rescued in a joint operation by Israeli security services – on her father's birthday. Hospital director Ronni Gamsu said after the rescue that doctors had spent eight months trying to keep No'a's mother in a condition where she could communicate.
No'a's message at rally
On Saturday evening, No'a addressed a rally in Tel Aviv via video message, where participants demanded the release of the other hostages. Her friend Avinatan Or remains in captivity.
“As my parents’ only child, as a child whose mother is terminally ill, worrying about my parents in captivity has been my biggest concern,” said No’a. It was a great privilege to be by her mother’s side after eight months of uncertainty.
From China to Israel
Liora Argamani originally came from the Chinese city of Wuhan. In 1994, she came to Israel for a short stay for professional reasons. In Beersheba, she fell in love with Ya'akov Argamani, married him, and remained in the Jewish state.
Following the abduction, Israel repeatedly appealed to the Chinese government to intervene for Noa's release. However, these pleas went unanswered. (Israelnetz)
