Noa Argamani joins Ambassador Danny Danon of Israel as he briefs the media after the Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East, at UN Headquarters in New York, on Feb. 25, 2025. Photo: Lev Radin/Sipa USA via Reuters Connect

Rescued Hamas hostage Noa Argamani has been featured in the 2025 TIME100, TIME magazine’s annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world that was revealed on Wednesday.

The 22nd annual list by TIME includes individuals from 32 countries. Argamani, 27, is mentioned on the list under the category of “leaders,” which include US President Donald Trump, journalist and commentator Megyn Kelly, Venezuelan “Iron Lady” María Corina Machado, Argentina’s President Javier Milei, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum, and World Health Organization Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Argamani said she is “deeply honored” to be included on the list but also “grateful that this recognition continues to shine a light on the hostage crisis and the horrific attacks of October 7th. It’s a powerful reminder of the urgent need to keep speaking out.”

The former Hamas hostage has traveled the world to speak with politicians, other leaders, and communities about her abduction and the grave need to take action to secure the release of the 59 people still being held hostage in Gaza. She said she is “humbled to serve as a voice for the hostages who remain in captivity — those who can’t speak for themselves.”

Argamani was taken hostage by Hamas terrorists during their deadly rampage at the Nova music festival in Re’im, in southern Israel, on Oct. 7, 2023. She was held captive in the Gaza Strip by members of the internationally designated terrorist organization for eight months until she was rescued by the Israel Defense Forces during a heroic operation in June 2024. An only child, she was rescued in time to see her terminally ill mother before she died of brain cancer less than a month after returning home. Argamani’s boyfriend Avinatan Or, is still in Hamas captivity and is one of 24 hostages whom Israel believes is still alive. Or recently turned 32, his second birthday in Gaza.

Argamani has become one of the most recognized faces of the hostages who were kidnapped on Oct. 7, 2023, because of harrowing footage that went viral around the world showing her being taken by force into Gaza on the back of a motorcycle, while she pleads for her life and reaches her arm out desperately towards her boyfriend, as he is marched alongside her on foot.

TIME magazine pairs members of its TIME100 list with guest contributors who were chosen by the publication to write about them. Argamani was paired with former Second Gentleman of the United States Douglas Emhoff, who wrote about seeing the heart-wrenching footage of her being abducted.

“The video of Noa Argamani on Oct. 7, 2023, is forever seared into my soul,” Emhoff wrote. “She was joyfully dancing with so many others at the Nova music festival when Hamas launched its brutal terrorist attack. As she was kidnapped into Gaza on a motorcycle, her harrowing expression became a symbol of the pain and trauma Jews worldwide, myself included, continue to feel.”

Emhoff added that since Argamani’s rescue by the IDF, “she has shown extraordinary courage and humanity in speaking out for the remaining hostages.”

“My wife Kamala Harris and I stand with Noa in fighting for the release of all the hostages. We cannot give up until every one of them is home,” he noted. “Noa’s advocacy has ­illuminated Hamas’s extreme brutality, but more importantly, her bravery has embodied Jewish resilience and strength even in the worst moments. She is living proof to the world that, despite everything, ‘we will dance again.'”

Argamani said on Wednesday that her life “changed forever” on Oct. 7, 2023.

“I spent 246 days as a hostage, stripped of freedom and control,” she explained. “Since my rescue, I’ve made a promise to do everything in my power to bring the others home — including my love, my partner, Avinatan Or, who is still being held in the tunnels of Gaza. There are still 59 hostages in Gaza. Innocent people. They need us. We must not stop. Bring Them ALL Home. NOW.”

Members of the 2025 TIME100 list will gather in New York City on April 23 at the TIME100 Summit and a day later at the 19th annual TIME100 Gala, which will air as a primetime television special on May 4 on ABC for the sixth year in a row. It will be available to stream the next day on Hulu.