Page 6 - TORCH Magazine #29 - Autumn 2025

I have left," her eyes reflecting a mixture of
determination and despair. "I want to be able
to see my Noa at home."
It is comforting to know that Noa’s
mother survived to see her daughter’s
rescue 246 days after being taken hostage.
She passed away just three weeks later.
This rescue allowed Noa to hug her
mother once again. "Liora spent her final
days alongside her daughter Noa, who had
returned from captivity, and their close
family,” the hospital stated, underscoring the
very personal nature of their relief and their
loss.
Amnon Regev, Noa's cousin, captured
the bittersweetness of the moment in an
interview. "Noa couldn't communicate with
Liora, but she said she wanted one last hug,
and I think she got it," he said. "This was her
victory and all of ours."
The long-awaited, wordless reunion
became a powerful symbol of the strength
and determination shown by this family and
all the families that fought on behalf of their
loved ones through hardship, turmoil, and
suffering.
Liora’s example of courage was certainly
continued by her daughter, who became a
voice on behalf of the remaining hostages
and their families.
After her rescue, Noa travelled the world
calling for action to be taken to free all
remaining hostages, including her boyfriend
Avinatan. She delivered speeches at the
United Nations Security Council and the
G7 Summit in Tokyo, and attended a joint
session of Congress and met with President
Trump in the Oval Office. Noa was included
in the TIME ‘100 Most Influential People
2025’ list for her courage and advocacy.
Noa also met Avinatan’s family for the first
time during his captivity and accompanied
his father to New York to pray for his release.
Speaking at an audience of White House
officials, Noa shared, “Avinatan and I came
to the Nova music festival just to celebrate
our life. We found ourselves in the darkest
tunnels of Gaza. I cannot even begin to
describe those terrible pictures.”
She said she had not seen Avinatan since
being dragged away, her arms outstretched
as he looked on helplessly, surrounded by
armed terrorists. “I asked about Avinatan
everywhere I went. I didn’t know whether he
had been murdered or taken hostage, and I
was afraid to know the answer.”
Noa also revealed that she feared every
minute that her guards might “lose control
and kill me” and heartbreakingly declared:
“I'm not the same person I used to be.”
She added, “I saw it happen in front of
my eyes, two of my friends that were with
me since October 7th were murdered in
captivity. Yossi Sharabi and Itay Svirsky
were brutally murdered and executed and I
survived."
Noa told those present, “I dedicate my
life to bringing my partner, Avinatan, and all
the hostages back home.”
In March 2025, Avinatan’s family received
the first information that he might still be
alive. Remaining cautious, Noa posted on
her social media, “Until Avinatan returns, my
heart is in captivity.”
Over six months later, Avinatan’s return
happened – on 13 October 2025.
“Time to come home”
Noa was in Washington as his imminent
release was announced, and she had to dash
back to Israel. Just a few days before, she had
given a speech to the US Cabinet on the
anniversary of October 7th, vowing to keep
fighting for Avinatan. As she prepared to
leave, she posted a picture of herself on top
of suitcases in Washington, writing, “Now it’s
time to come home.”
Avinatan’s parents, Yaron and Ditsa Or,
welcomed him with open arms. After seeing
the first pictures, his father said, “He’s lanky,
thin, with a huge moustache—but alive. From
his movements he seems to be in good
condition, thank God. We’re waiting to see
him. This is the day the Lord has made for us
a great miracle; we will rejoice and be glad in
His salvation.”
His mother added, “Thank God, thank
God. Give thanks to the Lord for He is
good, His kindness endures forever. The
uncertainty was unbearable during these
two years, and suddenly we have some
clarity about how this is happening and what
it looks like. But the story won’t be over and
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