Mother of soldier who died in captivity: ‘The struggle for Noa’s return home isn’t over’

Family and friends of those held captive and missing in Gaza march into Modiin to meet with the parents of IDF soldier Noa Marciano who was killed in captivity.

Adi and Avi Marciano, Noa’s parents, come out to a park across from their home to greet and hug the other families.

“Thank you to my new family from the forum of those missing and taken captive,” says Adi Marciano. “I was supposed to be part of the march, you saved me a few kilometers and came to our city of Modiin.”

Adi describes Noa as a wonderful daughter, a person of music and books, with a big heart, and a beloved big sister to her three younger siblings. She and her younger sister, Yuval, were like twins with only a year and seven months between them, says Adi Marciano.

She was a quiet leader who influenced those around her, says Adi Marciano, on the brink of tears.

“It’s important for me to tell everyone that the struggle for Noa and her return home isn’t over,” says Marciano. “I do not have a grave for Noa, there was no funeral.” Noa’s body is still in Gaza.

“I’m here to say we’re here with you for the struggle of our lives,” she says. “When I finish the shiva, I’ll return to Tel Aviv to be with you.”

Avi Marciano, Adi’s husband and Noa’s father, refers to rumors of an imminent hostage deal. “We are demanding from Bibi [Netanyahu], [Benny] Gantz, [Yoav] Gallant and the rest of the war cabinet, first come talk to us,” he says. “We’re not just any people; our kids are there. You’re making a deal? Come tell us.”

“All the niceties are gone, the gloves are off, you should be embarrassed,” he adds.