Hamas massacre

Finally free: Noa Argamani, Almog Meir Jan, Andrey Kozlov and Shlomi Ziv

Noa Argamani

Saturday June 8 is the birthday of Noa Argamani’s father, Yaakov Argamani. The only thing Yaakov wished for this year was his only daughter, Noa, back. His wife, Liora, is terminally ill with a brain tumor. Her last wish is to see her daughter Noa again.

Their beautiful daughter was violently abducted from the Supernova festival. The entire world saw the footage of her being dragged on to a motorcycle, crying and begging for her life, stretching out her arms to her boyfriend, Avinatan Or, who was also being kidnapped.

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Yaakov and Liora were afraid they would never see their only child again. But yesterday, on Yaakov’s birthday, their dearest wish was fulfilled: Noa was freed from Hamas captivity and brought back to Israel, where she reunited with her father and then immediately was brought to the hospital to embrace her dying mother.

I cannot describe the incredible joy and relief we all felt yesterday, seeing the images of Noa in the helicopter, being hugged and kissed by her father, speaking on the phone with the president, and setting off to the hospital to see her mother. The meeting with her mother was private, as it should be.

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I could not stop crying, Noa is the cousin of a friend of mine. If I wished for anything, it was for Noa to come back home. Noa is Yaakov and Liora’s only child. And Liora’s illness made it all so much more heartbreaking. So many tears we shed for them, and now we are finally crying happy tears! 🧡

And Noa was not to only one to be freed. The IDF carried out a very risky operation which destroyed a building in the town Nuseirat in central Gaza, and which killed many Gazans. This is desperately sad and I wish it hadn’t happened.

But Hamas knew this would happen, and they put the hostages there anyway. They knew we would stop at nothing to free the hostages, and they still chose to hide them among the people. Hamas knows we will do ANYTHING to bring them back home. They intentionally endanger their own people, just to make Israel look bad. All of this could have been avoided if they had just given us back the hostages. And why? Why did they invade our country, murder thousands and then abduct hundreds? All of this suffering and pain on both sides could have been avoided if they had not chosen to attack us. And civilians are complicit in this. Civilians stole Noa. I hope the men in that video, the ones who laughed as she begged for her life, now paid the price.

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Almog Meir Jan

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Almog Meir Jan is 21 years old and was kidnapped from the Supernova festival. He was seen in footage, handcuffed, cowering and terrified.

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Almog had just finished his army duty and was due to start his first job on October 8. The company has promised to keep the position open for him. According to his mother, Orit, he is very family-oriented and is close with his mother, his sister and uncle. He helps take care of his grandparents and has many friends. Almog called his mother from the party, telling her he loved her, before he was captured.

On Saturday, he was finally freed and reunited with his mother, family and friends. He asked them if they had seen the hostage video of him, but they hadn’t. Nobody had. Hamas had recorded a hostage video of him, of course saying what they told him to say, but had never released it, so no one knew and no one saw that precious sign of life. But now he is back, safe and well!

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In a strange and sad twist, Almog’s father is reported to have died in his home the same Saturday. There is no news yet of how he died and whether he knew his son had been freed. I hope so much that he knew. But if he didn’t, I am sure that he knows now. 🦋

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Andrey Kozlov

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Andrey Kozlov, 27, is a Russian-Israeli who worked as a security guard at the Supernova music festival. The Russian government called for his release along with other Russian hostages:

“The Russian side stressed the need for the immediate release of civilians, including three Russian nationals, Andrey Kozlov, Alexander Lobanov, and Alexander Trufanov, who were kidnapped in the October 7, 2023 attacks and have been held by Palestinian groups ever since.” (From: the Jerusalem Post.)

But that didn’t happen. From the Times of Israel: “Three Russian citizens — Ron Krivoy, Irina Tatty and Elena Trufanova — were previously released. Alexander Trufanov and Alexander Lobanov remain in captivity.”

Andrey had immigrated to Israel only a year and a half before October 7, 2023. He was still learning Hebrew. After his release, he said that he continued learning Hebrew and practiced with the other hostages while in captivity. His parents flew out from Russia as soon as they could and his girlfriend, Jennifer Master, was waiting for him. They had been tirelessly lobbying for his release, both in Israel and in Russia. You’re a hero to us, Andrey!

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Shlomi Ziv

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Shlomi Ziv is 41 years old and studied interior design. He was at the Supernova festival working as a security guard, as a favour to his friends, Aviv Eliyahu and Jake Marlowe. Eliyahu and Marlowe were both killed at the site. Shlomi was listed as missing.

Shlomi is married to Miran. They have been together for 17 years. Miran told Ynet: “We’ve been through so much – [fertility ] treatments, a difficult miscarriage, more treatments. (…) It was just the two of us, Shlomi and me, so we are also so connected. The treatments only strengthened us; it didn’t break us apart like it had happened to other couples. We are each other’s world.”

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When the attack started at the festival, Shlomi opened the gates so people could flee. He called his two younger sisters, Adi and Revital, and tried to tell them what was going on, while running himself. He told them he would call back. But he never did. Eight days later, he was officially listed as a hostage.

Shlomi’s wife, mother, sisters and cousin worked tirelessly for his release. His cousin, Liat Ariel, created something extraordinary called Shlomi’s glasses, a virtual reality tool that shows people an 8 minute movie simulating the experience of being kidnapped and held hostage in Gaza.

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Many people have tried on the glasses, including politicians and journalists. Liat Ariel told JNS news: “I decided to create “Shlomi’s glasses” to show the world what it’s like to be at a festival similar to Burning Man in America or others in Europe and find yourself under attack.”

Then, on June 8, Shlomi was rescued. Finally, after 8 months, he could embrace his wife, his parents, his sisters and his cousin again.

About his time in Gaza, Shlomi said that he knew nothing of what was going on on the outside. He was held with other hostages and they passed the time talking and playing games. He didn’t know his two friends, Aviv and Jake, were dead. His family says he lost a lot of weight but is in good condition.

Welcome home, Shlomi, we are so happy to have you back! 🧡

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Arnon Zmora

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These days, good news never seems to be possible without bad news, too. In the operation to free the hostages, Chief Inspector Arnon Zmora, 36, was killed by terrorist fire.

According to the Times of Israel: “On October 7, Zmora himself had led a battle against Hamas near the border community of Yad Mordechai, killing dozens of terrorists and preventing them from infiltrating the kibbutz. After that battle, Zmora was also involved in fighting terrorists at the Nahal Oz base and at Kibbutz Be’eri.”

This man seems to have been a fearless powerhouse who saved countless lives. He is survived by his parents and siblings, his wife and two children. His wife Michal wrote on Facebook:

“Now, everything is filled with the image of the late hero Arnon Zmora. But long before he was a warrior and a hero he was a sweet and charming man. A wonderful partner, a perfect father. A loving and beloved man. This is how we will remember him, and we hope you will too.”

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The operation was renamed “Operation Arnon” in his memory. At his funeral, thousands paid tribute. Fly free, Arnon, and thank you for everything you did for us. 🧡🦋

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The Nahal Oz Five

During the Hamas attack on October 7 2023, twenty-two young female soldiers hid inside the bomb shelter of the Nahal Oz army base. Fifteen of them were killed when Hamas entered the shelter. Seven were taken hostage. One of those seven, Noa Marciano (19), was murdered in captivity. Another, Ori Megidish (18) was found and rescued from the tunnels by the IDF early on in the war.

The other five are Naama Levy (19), Liri Albag (18), Agam Berger (19), Karina Ariev (19) and Daniela Gilboa (20). These young girls, almost all of them teenagers, were dragged out of the shelter, thrown into trucks, wounded, bleeding and terrified, and taken to Gaza. Like cattle. Worse, like slaves. Like loot, like war trophies.

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Footage of their abduction has now been made public by the families of these girls, in a desperate attempt to sway the government and the international community, to pressure Hamas more, to put more effort into an agreement that brings the hostages back.

This footage is absolutely heart-shattering and horrific. It shows the girls sitting, dazed and bloodied, in the shelter, with the dead bodies of their friends all around them. You can hear gunshots and shouting, and terrorists talking about the girls and to them. What they are saying is bone-chilling.

The video has been edited to remove the most graphic content, but it is still terrible to watch. This is the video. It is on YouTube, but it has been banned from Facebook for being too graphic. Facebook winces and looks the other way, while the blatant threats and vicious hatred spewed towards Israel and Jews from the Pro-Palestine faction go unchecked.

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Among the screaming, the shooting and the choas, one of the men says to Daniela: “You are so beautiful.” Someone else says: “They are worthless, they are Zionists.” At the very end when the girls are being pushed into the truck, you can hear someone saying: “These are the girls that can get pregnant.”

It is blatantly obvious what they are planning to do with these girls. Sexual violence is a given. But forced pregnancy? That terrifying thought had not even entered my head until now. But now, I can see the girls clearly, in my mind. Being held in the quarters of these men. Being subjected to assault, violence and sadism. In the eyes of these monsters, these girls are worthless and subhuman. They are objects to be violated and abused. And to be used for breeding.

I feel sickened to my core. These girls, our girls, are not playthings for depraved men. They are not worthless trash, only fit to be used and discarded. They are beautiful and unique human beings. They are precious souls, sparks of the divine. They are daughters, sisters, friends and fellow women. They are everything to their parents and family. They are everything to us.

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Naama Levy

Naama Levy is 19 years old. I wrote a post about her before. The shocking footage of her being roughly dragged by her hair and shoved into a car, hurt and bleeding, her hands tied behind her back, was released shortly after October 7.

This is from the website Bring Naama Levy Home:

“Naama Levy was born in Israel, and raised in India where she was educated in an American school. She graduated with a diplomacy major in high school. She was raised on values of tolerance, acceptance, equality, freedom, social justice…

As a young girl, Naama participated in the “Hands of Peace” delegation, which brings together young Americans, Israelis, and Palestinians and nurtures young leaders to promote values of mutual understanding and the pursuit of peace as a lever for creating social-global change.”

“Always looking to find common ground between people, Naama chose to practice a sport that she loves very much and that, in itself, embodies the convergence of various sports – Triathlon. The strong connection to sports runs in her family – her mother is the doctor of the Israeli women’s soccer team, so Naama has lived and breathed soccer since childhood.

She is also the connecting force at home. The second child out of four, Naama is a role model to her two younger siblings and is adored by her older brother.”.

Naama had just arrived at the Nahal Oz base when she was violently abducted. She has been a hostage ever since.

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Liri Albag

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Israel Hayom writes the following about Liri:

“Liri Albag celebrated her 19th birthday in captivity. Her sisters Roni (25) and Shay (22) say birthdays have always been among her favorite occasions. She is a joyful girl who always pays attention to every little detail: “She always gets the whole house going a month in advance for a big event with all her friends. She always makes sure everything is beautifully decorated and also has the food she loves prepared for the event.” Her sisters still hope to celebrate her 20th birthday together with her in Thailand.

Liri is an optimistic and strong girl. People who returned from the first prisoner exchange deal and met Liri in captivity told her family about the conditions she is held in. They noted: “She told us she loves us, that she’s okay and misses us. We understood it was important for her that we know she’s alive. She knows our family and knows we won’t stop fighting for her. She asked us not to forget her and the other captives, to not stop fighting.” “

According to other sources, Liri is being held in civilian houses and frequently moved. She is made to cook and clean and look after children. In other words: She is a slave.

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Agam Berger

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From Israel Hayom:

“Agam Berger, aged 19, is the twin sister of Li-Yam, born two minutes before her. She’s a gifted violinist, playing since she was 8. She had only been in the position for one day when she was kidnapped from Nahal Oz base.Her mother Mirav said in March, “Agam was supposed to be stationed at the Kerem Shalom crossing. At the last minute, they changed her posting to Nahal Oz. On Thursday, she went to the base. I sent her a video of us wishing her well. The very next day, just one day into being a field observer at Nahal Oz, she was brutally kidnapped.”

Agam sent messages to her parents from captivity through the released hostage Agam Goldshtein, who was with her for a time. Goldshtein told the parents that their daughter observes Shabbat even in captivity. She described how Hamas terrorists ordered Agam to cook food, but she firmly refused to desecrate Shabbat. She even asked to wish her father a happy birthday, awaiting her return to him. Two months ago, the family celebrated a bar mitzvah for Agam’s younger brother, Ilay. He then told Israel Hayom: “It’s very hard for me to celebrate without my older sister Agam. Even in the worst scenarios, I never imagined this important day would look like this. It’s very difficult for me, I’m very sad. We miss her, it’s just not the same without her.” “

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Daniela Gilboa

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From Israel Hayom:

Daniella Gilboa was also kidnapped from Nahal Oz, and her family and partner of seven years, Roey Dadon, await her return home. Recently, while Daniella was held captive by Hamas, he proposed to her. Orly, her mother, later said: “Daniella and Roey have been together as a couple since 7th grade, both studying music at school. Just a week after that dreadful Saturday, they were supposed to celebrate their 7-year anniversary as boyfriend and girlfriend. She was really looking forward to celebrating that weekend. A few weeks ago, we had a Torah scroll welcomed into our home, and the rabbi who led the ceremony understood that Roey had been her boyfriend for 7 years. He asked him if he had proposed yet and suggested Roey propose – and he did. Now he’s waiting for her to return.”

Daniella graduated with excellence from high school, majoring in music, and even recorded some songs awaiting release when she returns. Since her abduction, Orly has been fighting to bring her daughter home, wavering between great hope and despair. She admits not expecting to need so much strength for this long struggle: “In the first few days after the kidnapping, I told myself there’s no way an event of this magnitude would go on for more than a few days, and I didn’t think we’d reach months in captivity. I ask the decision-makers – think of your own daughters, as if they were there now, and make your decision accordingly. Do what needs to be done to return the captives because they don’t have much time left.” “

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Karina Ariev

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From Israel Hayom:

“Karina Ariev, from Jerusalem, called her sister Sasha on the morning of Oct. 7 and said she was entering the shelter with her friends. “Slowly, as the minutes passed, she said there were terrorists in the area, and then you could really hear their voices and the shooting – as we’re talking on the phone. Then she started saying goodbye to me, telling me she loves me, that I should go on living, take care of our parents, and that’s where the conversation ended.”

The family describes her as an innocent and gentle child who always looks out for her family and parents. “For her, family and friends come first.” Her sister also said: “The longer we see the fighting drag on, the more we worry. Karina is creative and talented, loves to paint, sing, and dance, and wants to pursue a career in the beauty industry. She loves helping people and dreams of studying psychology and sociology. She has the ability to truly listen to people, she’s a shoulder to lean on.” “

On January 26, both Karina Ariev and Daniela Gilboa were shown in a hostage video by Hamas, together with another hostage, Doron Steinbrecher. What they said was not remarkable, it followed the same script as all the other hostage videos, the message being: Stop the war, or we will die. But, as with the other hostages, the look in their eyes was haunting. Doron’s scream echoed in our heads for a long, long time. What are these women going through, off-camera?

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When is this slow and agonizing mental torture going to end? When will we be able to mourn and bury our dead, embrace and heal our survivors, and look to the future? We are stuck in the past. One never-ending day in October. We cannot heal and move on, as long as our precious daughters, sons, fathers, grandfathers and friends are still held hostage. We have been waiting and holding our breath for seven months. When will we be able to breathe out?Liri, Naama, Agam, Daniela and Karina. We love you. We will bring you home.

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This is my YouTube video about the Nahal Oz Five:

🎗️🎗️🎗️🎗️ #bringthemhome