Family of Israeli hostage Avinatan Or receives first sign of life from one of the released hostages

The family of Avinatan Or (32) received a sign of life from one of the returning hostages, Channel 12 News reported on Wednesday. 

Or's family had not received any sign of life since his capture by Hamas terrorists on Oct. 7, 2023, and they were not sure he was still alive.

The indication that Or was alive came from interviews with a released hostage, who reported being held with him in harsh conditions, deprived of food and given very little water.

According to the information received, Or is being held in the central camps in the Gaza Strip. His brother Moshe Or said the sign of life is a "great relief." He said the family was contacted by military intelligence with the news. 

“Yesterday (Tuesday), we were contacted by intelligence who told us that they managed to receive a sign of life, certainly from the recent period. They didn't say exactly when, but from the recent period,” Moshe told Channel 12.

He said, “We always knew he was alive. Now we are receiving official confirmation. It puts wind in the sails, more energy to keep going forward and not give up.” 

"We are happy, the last sign of life we ​​received was the kidnapping video,” Moshe added

Or, a resident of Tel Aviv, was kidnapped from the Nova Festival during the Oct. 7 attack, along with his girlfriend, Noa Argamani, who was rescued in Operation Arnon on June 8, 2024. 

After receiving the news that Or is still alive, Argamani wrote on Instagram: "Until Avinatan returns, my heart is in captivity."

Argamani has been very active since her release, petitioning world leaders and organizations to help secure the release of the remaining hostages.

Or's parents, Yaron and Ditza, are among the founders of the Tikva (Hope) Forum, a group of families of hostages that supports increasing military pressure on Hamas and opposes signing a hostage release deal that does not free all the hostages. 

“This whole issue of the phases is a lie, because, in fact, anyone who is not in the first phase – in my opinion will not return, he is paying the price,” Ditza said in an interview with Channel 12. 

“I ask – what mother would be willing to sign a deal that says her son will stay there in exchange for someone who goes home?" she added. 

Currently, 59 hostages are still being held by Hamas in Gaza after the release of 33 hostages in phase 1, alongside five Thai hostages. Of those 59, 24 have officially been identified as alive, based on the most recent information.

During the first phase of the hostage-ceasefire deal, several signs of life were received from hostages returning from Gaza. So far, signs have been received from most of the 24 hostages.