Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang shared an emotional letter with employees Monday celebrating the release of Avinatan Or, an employee of the chip giant who had been held hostage by Hamas for nearly two years. Or was abducted along with his partner, Noa Argamani, from the Nova music festival on Oct. 7, 2023.
In his letter to thousands of Nvidia employees worldwide, Huang praised the courage and unwavering hope of Or’s mother, Ditsa, as well as the company’s Israeli staff who supported her throughout her son’s captivity. “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. After two unimaginable years in Hamas captivity, Avinatan has come home,” Huang wrote.
“Throughout this time, our hearts were with Avinatan and his loved ones — especially his mother, Ditsa Or, whose strength, courage and unwavering hope inspired us all. Night after night, our employees in Israel stood with her in vigil, united in determination to bring him home. That unity reflected the best of who we are,” he added.
Huang also honored the broader sacrifices of Nvidia employees, many of whom served in the military during the war and suffered personal loss. “Over the past two years, thousands of Nvidia employees have served with extraordinary courage to protect their communities. Many endured pain, loss and uncertainty. Some lost loved ones. We lost our colleague Amit Hayut. Ilan Waldman, our former colleague, suffered the heartbreaking loss of his daughter, Danielle, and her partner, Noam. Our hearts and prayers remain with Ilan and his family.”
“The grief among our Jewish, Druze and Arab colleagues has been immense. Pain knows no boundaries, faiths, or differences. We mourn together, we hope together — for peace, understanding, and a future without fear,” Huang wrote.
He commended his staff for their strength, compassion and resilience, concluding: “Now, as the cease-fire and Phase 1 of President Trump’s peace plan take effect and all hostages return to their families, we witness the end of a painful chapter and the beginning of a long-awaited healing process for the entire region. Avinatan — welcome home. Your safe return brings immense relief and joy to the entire Nvidia family. We are here for you and your loved ones as you begin the next chapter of recovery. May this moment mark the first step toward healing, renewal, and lasting peace for all those impacted by this war.”
Avinatan Or, 32, from Tel Aviv, was kidnapped from the Nova music festival alongside his girlfriend Noa Argamani, who was freed in a rescue operation on June 8, 2024. One of the most haunting images from the massacre was a video of Argamani being forcibly separated from Or as they were taken into Gaza.
The first sign of life from Or came in March 2025, when the family received information that he was being held under harsh conditions in central Gaza. “Until Avinatan returns, my heart remains in captivity,” Argamani wrote in a social media post at the time.
His father, Yaron Or, repeatedly urged the government to increase military pressure on Hamas, while his brother Moshe Or spoke with Al Jazeera in April, calling on Hamas to agree to a comprehensive deal — which was ultimately reached six months later.