Liora Argamani, the mother of recently rescued Israeli hostage Noa, has died. Brain-cancer-striken Liora’s final wish was her daughter’s homecoming.

“My mother, the best friend there is, the strongest and most beautiful person I’ve ever known. I’m standing here today and it’s still hard for me to accept it,” Noa said at her mother’s funeral. “Against all odds, I was privileged to be with you in your last moments and to hear your last words. Thank you for being strong and holding on so that I could see you at least one more time, and so that Dad wouldn’t be left alone. Thank you for the 26 years I was privileged to spend by your side. I learned so much from you. You took me to travel around the world with you and made me the strong person I am today.”

Noa was kidnapped on October 7 from the Nova music festival. Her mother begged Hamas to release Noa, so that Liora could see her daughter one last time. In December, Liora asked “for the chance to see my Noa at home.” The Israel Defense Forces rescued Noa in an expansive operation in May, which has since been criticized by many as an unfair operation that wreaked havoc on Gaza’s civilian population. Hamas-affiliated Gazan civilians held captive the four hostages rescued by the IDF.