Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang sent a letter to the chip giant’s staff on Monday expressing gratitude for the discharge of Avinatan Or, an Israeli worker of the corporate who was released from Hamas captivity after two years.
Or was attending the Nova music festival together with his partner, Noa Argamani, near Kibbutz Reim when Hamas conducted a terror attack against communities near the Gaza border on October 7, 2023. Or and Argamani were each taken captive and held individually. Argamani was rescued in June 2024 during an Israeli military operation and was a distinguished advocate for the discharge of Or and other hostages after she was freed.
After the US brokered a ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas, Or was released on Monday together with other surviving hostages after greater than two years in captivity.
“I’m 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. “After two unimaginable years in Hamas captivity, Avinatan has come home.”
Calcalist reported that Or began working for Nvidia in 2022 after he received an electrical engineering degree from Ben-Gurion University. He worked as an engineer in Nvidia’s VLSI group, which is an element of the corporate’s networking division and plays a key role in Nvidia’s semiconductor design operations in Israel.
Huang wrote that Or’s mother, Ditza, “inspired us all” through her “strength, courage, and unwavering hope.”
He also said that Nvidia’s employees in Israel “stood along with her in vigil, united in determination that Avinatan would return home safely. That unity reflected the easiest of who we’re.”
“1000’s of Nvidia employees have served with extraordinary bravery in defense of their communities in the course of the war,” Huang continued. “Many have faced immense pain, loss, and uncertainty. Some have lost members of the family or family members.”
The Nvidia co-founder’s letter referenced several personal losses that hit Nvidia’s team in Israel, including the death of worker Amit Chayut in addition to the killing of Danielle Waldman and her partner.
Not sleep so far on the Israel-Hamas cease-fire exchange
Waldman is the daughter of Mellanox founder Eyal Waldman, whose company was acquired by Nvidia.
“The losses to our Jewish, Druze, and Arab families alike have been immense. Grief knows no borders, no faiths, no divisions. We mourn together, and we hope together — for peace, understanding, and a future without fear,” Huang wrote.
“Avinatan — welcome home. Your protected return brings profound relief and joy to your complete Nvidia family. May this moment market step one toward recovery, renewal, and lasting peace — for all who’ve been touched by this war.”
A Nvidia spokesperson declined to comment in regards to the letter.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang sent a letter to the chip giant’s staff on Monday expressing gratitude for the discharge of Avinatan Or, an Israeli worker of the corporate who was released from Hamas captivity after two years.
Or was attending the Nova music festival together with his partner, Noa Argamani, near Kibbutz Reim when Hamas conducted a terror attack against communities near the Gaza border on October 7, 2023. Or and Argamani were each taken captive and held individually. Argamani was rescued in June 2024 during an Israeli military operation and was a distinguished advocate for the discharge of Or and other hostages after she was freed.
After the US brokered a ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas, Or was released on Monday together with other surviving hostages after greater than two years in captivity.
“I’m 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. “After two unimaginable years in Hamas captivity, Avinatan has come home.”
Calcalist reported that Or began working for Nvidia in 2022 after he received an electrical engineering degree from Ben-Gurion University. He worked as an engineer in Nvidia’s VLSI group, which is an element of the corporate’s networking division and plays a key role in Nvidia’s semiconductor design operations in Israel.
Huang wrote that Or’s mother, Ditza, “inspired us all” through her “strength, courage, and unwavering hope.”
He also said that Nvidia’s employees in Israel “stood along with her in vigil, united in determination that Avinatan would return home safely. That unity reflected the easiest of who we’re.”
“1000’s of Nvidia employees have served with extraordinary bravery in defense of their communities in the course of the war,” Huang continued. “Many have faced immense pain, loss, and uncertainty. Some have lost members of the family or family members.”
The Nvidia co-founder’s letter referenced several personal losses that hit Nvidia’s team in Israel, including the death of worker Amit Chayut in addition to the killing of Danielle Waldman and her partner.
Not sleep so far on the Israel-Hamas cease-fire exchange
Waldman is the daughter of Mellanox founder Eyal Waldman, whose company was acquired by Nvidia.
“The losses to our Jewish, Druze, and Arab families alike have been immense. Grief knows no borders, no faiths, no divisions. We mourn together, and we hope together — for peace, understanding, and a future without fear,” Huang wrote.
“Avinatan — welcome home. Your protected return brings profound relief and joy to your complete Nvidia family. May this moment market step one toward recovery, renewal, and lasting peace — for all who’ve been touched by this war.”
A Nvidia spokesperson declined to comment in regards to the letter.
