Noa Argamani and Avinatan Or became internationally recognized figures after they were abducted during the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel’s Nova Music Festival near Re’im. Argamani, an information systems and software engineering student at Ben-Gurion University, attended the festival with Or, her boyfriend of two years, whom she had met during her studies. A widely circulated video documented Argamani’s abduction, capturing her being taken away on a motorcycle while reaching out toward Or, who was seized separately. That footage later became one of the most recognizable visual records of the attack, underscoring the personal human cost of the violence.
Argamani was held in Gaza for 246 days before being rescued on June 8, 2024, during an Israel Defense Forces special operations mission. During her captivity, she was held alongside other hostages, including Raya Rotem and her daughter Hila, as well as Emily Hand. Following her rescue, Argamani publicly shared her experiences and mourned the loss of her mother, who passed away shortly afterward. Or remained in captivity for significantly longer, enduring 738 days before being released on October 13, 2025, as part of a ceasefire agreement. Their reunion on the day of Or’s release marked the end of a separation that had unfolded in full view of the global public.
Sydney Sweeney’s Meeting With the Oct. 7 Survivors Highlights Continued Awareness
On January 14, 2026, entertainment and advocacy circles took note when Emmy-nominated actress Sydney Sweeney met with Argamani and Or. Photos of the meeting were shared by the pro-Israel advocacy organization StandWithUs across verified social media platforms, showing Sweeney smiling with her arms around the couple. While specific details about the timing and location were not disclosed, the encounter took place roughly three months after Or’s release from captivity.
According to StandWithUs’ social media posts, the meeting was intended as a gesture of solidarity with survivors and former hostages of the October 7 attacks. The images received supportive responses from Jewish community organizations and advocates, who highlighted the significance of a prominent Hollywood figure taking time to meet directly with those affected. Sweeney’s appearance alongside Argamani and Or was also noted in the context of her connection to businessman Scooter Braun, who has been vocal in efforts to keep attention on the hostages since 2023.
