Two years ago, Ditza Or’s son, Avinatan, was taken hostage by Hamas. She holds onto the hope that she will soon be able to embrace him again and listen to his heartbeat.
Ditza, who is British-Israeli, recounted to the Daily Mail how her ‘strong, beautiful’ 32-year-old son was captured and taken to Gaza from the Nova festival on October 7, 2023.
‘You know, he’s very tall – my ear is at the height of his heart.’
The world saw the appalling images that day of Avinatan’s girlfriend, Noa Argamani, being kidnapped on a motorbike while he watched on helplessly.
Her story gained international attention after a striking front page by The Mail on Sunday highlighted the tragedy where 1,200 people were killed and 251 were taken as hostages.
Although Noa, 27, was rescued by the IDF in June last year and all remaining female hostages were released during a ceasefire in January, Ditza Or continues to anxiously await the return of her son.
However, after Donald Trump unveiled a peace plan last week, there is renewed optimism that all 48 hostages – with 20, including Avinatan, thought to be alive – might soon gain their freedom.
Delegations from Israel and Hamas began negotiations in Cairo yesterday and the US President urged them to ‘move fast’ on Sunday evening.
Two years ago, Ditza Or’s son, Avinatan, was taken hostage by Hamas, yet she dreams of finally being able to hold him close once more and listen to his heartbeat.
The world saw the appalling images that day of Avinatan’s girlfriend, Noa Argamani, (right) being kidnapped on a motorbike while he watched on helplessly
He described the talks as ‘very successful, and proceeding rapidly’ and Hamas was last night reportedly seeking guarantees on Israel’s withdrawal if they release the hostages.
Ms Or, 58, said: ‘When he was taken, I locked my heart very strongly and said I will not let hope in until it happens.
‘But now cracks are opening around my heart and light is coming in. I am afraid, I am anxious, I am excited. I am trying not to be too happy and hopeful, not to let the light come in yet, because it’s all very uncertain.’
Asked what she would do on meeting Avinatan, she said: ‘The first thing I’ll do when I see him is probably cry – and, like a mother who has just given birth, I’ll check him all over, check his fingers, his eyes, and look at his face.
‘I want to put my ear on his chest and hear his heartbeat.’
Noa and Avinatan had been together for over a year before the Hamas attack and Ditza only met her son’s girlfriend for the first time after she was rescued.
Noa has since flown around the world campaigning for her boyfriend, tirelessly meeting world leaders and giving inspiring speeches – but she still finds the time to support Ditza.
‘Noa gives us strength,’ she said. ‘She joins us at family occasions – like when my daughter got married a few months ago. She is part of the family in a special way.’
Her image went around the world following a powerful front page by The Mail on Sunday that became a symbol of the atrocity in which 1,200 were killed and 251 kidnapped
She has also shared stories of the bravery of Avinatan on October 7. ‘Noa told me that when they were abducted, he had a few chances to run away from their captors, but he chose to stay by her side and not leave her with those monsters.
‘He is very strong, and in a way, he chose his destiny – his greatness is part of who he is. He would always protect others. He is very special.’
New details emerged yesterday of the horrors inflicted that day as Israel released files showing October 7 mastermind Yahya Sinwar gave instructions on how to film the slaughter.
Terrorists were urged to prioritise kidnapping ‘children and women’ and broadcast footage of the slaughter ‘to incite the masses [in Gaza] to go out and support us’.
Since her son was taken, Ditza says the last two years have felt like ‘just trying to survive’.
The deeply religious mother-of-seven says she draws strength from the prayers of others, saying: ‘This is what keeps me breathing, positive, and hopeful.’
The last image she has of Avinatan in her head is from a family event to mark the birth of a grandchild – and now, the same daughter is hosting an event this week to celebrate the birth of another child.
‘It was in a beautiful park near our home – we were so happy,’ she says. ‘This Thursday we will be in the same place. I am wishing and praying that Avinatan will be here for it.’
