Rescued hostage Noa Argamani has told how “against all odds” she was able to be with her terminally ill mother in her “final moments” before she was buried today.
The 26-year-old said she was “still trying to process everything that happened” in an emotional farewell to Liora, 61, who died of brain cancer on Monday night.
Noa was rescued by IDF special forces in time to see her mother last month as doctors struggled to keep her alive.
Hundreds of mourners gathered to pay their last respects as Liora was laid to rest at the New Cemetery in Beer Sheva, southern Israel.
Noa’s father, Yaakov, 69, broke down several times and Noa supported him every step of the way. They stood arm in arm and did not let go, Noa’s face marred by pain.
At the funeral, Noa paid tribute to her mother: “I’m here today, still trying to process everything that has happened recently,” she said.
Noa and her father at Liora Argamani’s funeral on Wednesday
Her rescuers saw Noa being led to a car before being flown out of Gaza by military helicopter and returned safely to a hospital in Ramat Gan.
Liora had stage four cancer and had asked Hamas to release Noa before her rescue.
Noa and her father attend the ceremony today in Beer Sheva, southern Israel.
“You fought like a lioness and never gave up. I understand now… Since Noa is home now, you realized that you didn’t need to worry about me anymore,” Yaakov said.
‘Against all odds, I was lucky enough to be with you in your final moments, to talk to you, laugh with you and hear your last words.
‘Thank you for being strong and holding on all this time, just so I could see you at least one more time. Just so dad wouldn’t be alone.
‘Thank you for being by my side for 26 years in every moment. For as long as I can remember, you were a role model for me, teaching me to appreciate the little moments in life.
‘You took me with you on trips around the world and made me into the strong person I am today.
“The tools you gave me as a child are ones I couldn’t have acquired anywhere else. You taught me to be strong and independent. Whenever things got tough, you pushed me forward…”
“I promise you that I will continue on this path. I promise that I will take care of Dad and look after him like you did for 31 years.
-I promise I’ll be as strong as you.
‘Mom, you will always be a part of me, no matter where I go or who I meet. Your serenity and calm will always be with me forever.
“And as you used to tell me when I was a little girl: I love you to the moon and back.”
Yaakov, whose daughter was rescued on her birthday last month, stood up to say a few words. Through tears, he said: “Nothing prepares you for the loss of the person you love most.
“I wanted so badly for you to stay with us a little longer. You fought like a lioness and never gave up. I understand now… Since Noa is home now, you realized that you didn’t need to worry about me anymore.
‘Thank you so much, my dear Liora. Thank you for all your wise advice. Thank you for always being there for me, every step of the way. You made me a better person.
‘You’ve all heard about my Liora, but it’s important for me to share with you what kind of person she was… Liora was a good and wise woman, an exemplary mother who raised our daughter Noa with values of honesty and love for humanity.
‘Liora always thought it was important to approach everyone with respect and appreciation. I thank God for the precious time he gave us to be by her side. For more than three decades together.
‘My beloved Liora, wait for me when I arrive. We will remain together for eternity.’
‘After finally reuniting with her in June, Liora ‘spent her final days with her daughter Noa,’ the hospital where she was being treated said in a statement announcing her death.
“Thank you so much, my dear Liora. Thank you for all your wise advice. Thank you for always being there for me, every step of the way. You made me a better person,” Yaakov said today.
Noa Argamani, then 25, was seen abducted on the back of a motorbike during the horrific attacks on 7 October.
Liora Argamani, Noa’s mother, had contacted US President Joe Biden to urge him to help rescue her daughter (pictured, November 2023).
Noa was able to celebrate her father Yakov’s birthday after spending more than seven months in Hamas captivity
Liora’s Chinese sister also spoke a few words.
She said of her sister: ‘As a younger sister, she was my admired figure, she is beautiful, kind-hearted, intelligent and wise, independent and full of energy towards her life and profession.
‘She was extremely caring and passionate about the needs of her daughter and husband, in fact, she was very considerate of her father and siblings in China.
“She respected Chinese traditions very well, both in China and in Israel. She had a beautiful and wonderful life. I, my mother, my older sister and my younger brother wish Liora a beautiful life in heaven.”
The family then walked to the cemetery to bury Liora. They will now enter Shiva, the seven-day Jewish period of mourning.
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