Palestinian man who took Noa Argamani hostage on Oct 7 killed in Israeli strike

Saher Nidal Saqr, a Palestinian man whom Israeli authorities accuse of taking part in the October 7, 2023, abduction of Israeli hostages Noa Argamani and Avinatan Or, has been killed in an Israeli strike in central Gaza, The Times of Israel reported.

The strike targeted Saqr in Nuseirat and was carried out by Israel Police’s elite Gideonim Unit 33, according to the report. Police have since released footage showing the strike that killed him.

Israeli authorities identified Saqr as one of the men involved in the abduction of Argamani and Or from the Nova music festival on October 7. Footage of the abduction became one of the most widely circulated videos from the Hamas-led attack, showing Argamani being taken away on a motorcycle while reaching out towards Or, who was being held by other militants, The Times of Israel reported.

The Israeli military said Saqr had entered Israel during the October 7 attack and was affiliated with “global jihadist organisations." It also accused him of supplying weapons to Hamas during the war and said he had recently been involved in planning attacks against Israeli troops and civilians in cooperation with Hamas and Islamic Jihad operatives.

Meanwhile, the IDF, in a statement, said that Saqr was killed to remove a threat.

Argamani, then 26, was rescued in June 2024 along with three other hostages during an Israeli military operation in Gaza.

In her first public message after her rescue, she called for continued efforts to bring home the remaining hostages. India Today reported at the time that her boyfriend, Avinatan Or, was still in captivity and that the two had been separated during their abduction.

“I’m home now, but we cannot forget the hostages that are still being held captive in Gaza,” Argamani said in the video message, according to India Today.

Or was later released from Gaza in October 2025 and reunited with Argamani, The Times of Israel reported.

The latest strike is part of Israel’s continuing efforts to target Palestinians it says were involved in the October 7 attack. The Times of Israel reported that Israeli authorities have established a dedicated unit to track down Palestinians involved in the assault.- Ends

Subodh Kumar is a journalist working with India Today/AajTak, specialising in foreign affairs, geopolitics, and counterterrorism, with a focus on Afghanistan and Pakistan. Known for his analytical approach, he combines rigorous data analysis with in-depth research to deliver insightful reporting on complex global issues.