Three years after images of their kidnap shocked the world Noa Argamani's ex-boyfriend describes his hell in Gaza - from seeing his girlfriend taken, daring escape bid and miracle when his faith saved him

Three years after the devastating events of October 7, 2023, Avinatan Or has opened up about his harrowing experience during the Hamas attack, which led to the kidnapping of his then-girlfriend Noa Argamani and his own prolonged captivity in Gaza. Their ordeal began at the Nova music festival, where the couple was caught in the chaos of the assault that resulted in nearly 400 deaths among attendees.

As the attack unfolded, Or and Argamani attempted to flee the festival, finding momentary refuge in a ditch amid gunfire. Despite their efforts to remain hidden, they were discovered by armed assailants who identified them as Jewish. The couple was forcibly separated; Argamani was taken away on a motorcycle while Or was restrained and brutally beaten before being transported across the border into Gaza.

Or's captivity lasted 738 days, primarily spent in harsh conditions deep underground. Confined to cramped tunnels with no sunlight or fresh air and minimal food—delivered only every four days—he endured physical and psychological torment. His height, 6ft 4in, made it impossible to fully stretch, leading to lasting physical strain. Throughout this time, Or employed mental strategies to maintain his sanity, counting steps, tracking time through subtle changes in light, and learning Arabic by listening to his captors.

Despite the oppressive environment, Or managed to establish tenuous relationships with some of his guards, a tactic that likely aided his survival. However, not all captors were indifferent; one commander harbored intense animosity toward him, intensifying the difficulties Or faced.

Driven by a will to survive, Or undertook a clandestine effort to escape. Using discarded plastic pieces and eventually a small stolen pickaxe, he began digging a tunnel within his confinement. His background in electrical engineering and construction informed his work, allowing him to rig rudimentary lighting and navigate the underground passages. After months of labor, he reached a collapsed building's ruins where he could glimpse the sky and hear voices nearby.

His escape attempt was ultimately thwarted when a captor returned unexpectedly. Or was recaptured and subjected to severe torture, including being suspended by swollen wrists and deprived of sleep. Nonetheless, Or credits his military training and life experience with providing the resilience necessary to endure these conditions.

A significant turning point in Or's ordeal came on his 79th day underground when, after years of religious silence, he found himself compelled to pray. This spiritual moment coincided with a bombing that struck the tunnel, collapsing part of it and killing a captor nearby. Or survived the collapse and interpreted this event as a divine intervention.

During his captivity, Or persistently sought information about Argamani's fate. Although initially deceived by false reports of her release, he eventually learned she was freed following a high-risk Israeli special forces operation 245 days after the attack. Their relationship, known worldwide due to the viral video capturing Argamani's abduction, did not endure the trauma of their separation and captivity.

Or's eventual release was secured through a hostage agreement after more than two years in captivity. However, his freedom came with a chilling admonition from a Hamas commander, warning him to leave Israel to avoid future attacks similar to October 7.

Reflecting on the ongoing conflict and personal loss, Or acknowledged the elimination of one of the terrorists involved in Argamani’s abduction, marking a small measure of justice in a complex and painful chapter. His memoir, 'Through the Earth,' has resonated deeply in Israel, becoming an immediate bestseller and soon to be available in English, offering a detailed account of survival, faith, and endurance under unimaginable circumstances.

As the anniversary of the attack passes, Or's story stands as a stark reminder of the human cost of conflict and the extraordinary resilience of those caught in its midst.