It was a kiss two years in the making.
Hostage Avinatan Or was finally reunited with girlfriend Noa Argamani on Monday after their kidnappings made them one of the most painful illustrations of the horrors of Oct. 7, 2023.
Or, 32, was one of the final 20 living hostages freed as part of a truce deal between Israel and Hamas, and he quickly was back in the arms of Argamani, who was rescued by Israeli forces last year.
A photo released by the Israel Defense Forces shows Or tenderly kissing his partner on the cheek as Argamani, 28, flashes a giant smile.
Or and Argamani became enduring symbols of Hamas’ torment when footage showed Argamani being hauled from the Nova festival on an all-terrain vehicle.
Argamani could be heard crying, “Don’t kill me!” as she desperately reached out for Or, who was being manhandled and marched away by terrorists.
The fear and devastation across both of their faces as they were separated soon became one of the most heartbreaking images of Oct. 7.
Argamani was rescued by Israeli forces from Gaza in June 2024 and has been advocating for the release of the rest of the hostages that remained in Palestinian territory since.
She wrote in an X post on the second anniversary of Oct. 7 that she was praying for a breakthrough with the cease-fire deal, adding that she missed her partner “more with each passing day.”
“October 7 was the last time I saw my partner. In captivity, I asked about Avinatan everywhere I went,” she wrote.
“I didn’t know if he was kidnapped or murdered, but i was afraid to know the answer.”
The touching kiss between Or and Argamani was among numerous happy reunions in Israel as other hostages rushed into the arms of their family and friends.
The 20 living hostages were freed with the bodies of 28 slain hostages expected to be handed over to Israel in the coming days.
Part of the first phase agreement between Israel and Hamas also includes the release of Palestinian prisoners.
Later stages under President Trump’s peace plan include the disarmament of Hamas, an international peacekeeping force and a transitional government led by international leaders.
