'Avinatan has come home': Jensen Huang welcomes return of Nvidia employee after 2 years in Hamas captivity

Avinatan Or, aged 32, had been abducted along with his partner, Noa Argamani, during the Hamas assault on the Nova music festival. (Image: X)

Avinatan Or, an engineer employed by Nvidia’s networking division, was released from Hamas captivity after two years, following a ceasefire deal brokered by the United States. Or had been abducted from the Nova music festival near Kibbutz Reim in southern Israel in 2023.

In a letter circulated to Nvidia’s global workforce, the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Jensen Huang, confirmed the news of his release and expressed his relief. “I am profoundly moved and deeply grateful to share that, just moments ago, our colleague, Avinatan Or, was released to the Red Cross in Gaza,” Huang wrote, according to Fox Business. “After two unimaginable years in Hamas captivity, Avinatan has come home.”

Huang extended his appreciation to employees who had supported Or’s family throughout the ordeal, particularly his mother, Ditza. In his message, shared internally and cited by Calcalist, Huang noted that Nvidia’s employees in Israel “stood with her in vigil, united in determination that Avinatan would return home safely.” He added that such solidarity “reflected the very best of who we are,” and commended Ditza’s “strength, courage, and unwavering hope.”

Or, aged 32, had been abducted along with his partner, Noa Argamani, during the Hamas assault on the Nova music festival. Argamani was rescued a year earlier, in 2024, during an Israeli military operation. Or’s freedom came a year later, as part of a negotiated truce.

Shortly after his release, video footage captured Or reuniting with his parents. The emotional clip showed him embracing and kissing them before entering another room, where he was reunited with Argamani. The two embraced and kissed in an emotional exchange after two years apart.