On December 11, 2025, a devastating claim surfaced, shaking the ongoing discourse surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Avi Marciano, the father of 19-year-old Israeli soldier Noa Marciano, publicly shared that his daughter, who was taken hostage during the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack, was killed by a medical worker in Gaza’s Shifa Hospital. According to Avi, a video sent to him via Telegram captured the moment a medical professional administered a lethal injection of air into Noa’s veins, as she pleaded for her life. This account, first reported by the Daily Mail, has sparked global outrage and renewed scrutiny of the treatment of hostages during the conflict. The following explores the details of this incident, its implications, and the broader context, drawing from multiple sources to present a balanced perspective.

Background of Noa Marciano’s Abduction

Noa Marciano, a 19-year-old corporal in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), served as an observation soldier in the Border Defense Force’s 414 Unit at the Nahal Oz military base. On October 7, 2023, Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups launched a large-scale assault on southern Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and abducting 251 individuals, including civilians and soldiers, into Gaza. Noa was among seven female soldiers kidnapped from Nahal Oz, an event that marked one of the deadliest attacks in Israel’s history.

Following her abduction, Noa was reportedly taken to Gaza City’s Shifa Hospital after sustaining minor, non-life-threatening injuries during IDF operations in the area. According to her father, these injuries occurred amid bombing and shooting, but they were not severe enough to be fatal. Hamas, however, claimed that Noa died due to an Israeli airstrike, a narrative that Avi Marciano and others have disputed. In November 2023, the IDF recovered Noa’s body from a building adjacent to Shifa Hospital, confirming her death and returning her remains to Israel for burial.

The Alleged Incident at Shifa Hospital

Avi Marciano’s account, shared publicly for the first time in December 2025, describes a harrowing video that he received via Telegram. In the footage, allegedly filmed inside Shifa Hospital, a medical worker is seen injecting air into Noa’s veins, a procedure that can cause a fatal air embolism. Avi recounted that Noa was “begging for her life” during the act, and by the end of the video, she appeared lifeless, sweating but without signs of vitality. He emphasized that the medical professional, rather than treating Noa’s wounds, made a deliberate decision to end her life.

This claim has been corroborated by multiple outlets, including The Jewish Chronicle and Legal Insurrection, which reported that Noa’s parents had previously disclosed in May 2024 that a medical professional was responsible for her death. The video, described as deeply disturbing, has not been publicly released, and its authenticity has not been independently verified by international authorities. However, the allegations align with broader concerns about the treatment of hostages in Gaza, particularly in facilities like Shifa Hospital, which has been a focal point of controversy during the conflict.

Shifa Hospital, Gaza’s largest medical complex, has been repeatedly cited in Israeli reports as a site used by Hamas for military purposes, including hiding hostages and weapons. The IDF conducted operations around the hospital in November 2023, claiming to have uncovered evidence of militant activity. Hamas and Gazan authorities have denied these allegations, asserting that the hospital was solely a medical facility overwhelmed by the war’s casualties. The claim that a medical worker at Shifa deliberately killed a hostage adds a new layer of complexity to these conflicting narratives.

Hamas’s Response and Competing Narratives

Hamas has maintained that Noa Marciano’s death resulted from an Israeli airstrike, a claim that was broadcast to Western media in 2023. According to the group, Noa’s body was displayed in propaganda efforts to terrorize Israel, with Hamas asserting that her death was a consequence of IDF military actions. Avi Marciano, however, has rejected this explanation, pointing to the video evidence as proof of a deliberate act by a medical worker. The IDF’s recovery of Noa’s body in November 2023, coupled with her father’s testimony, has lent weight to the family’s version of events.

The discrepancy between these accounts highlights the challenge of verifying information in a conflict zone. Hamas’s narrative seeks to shift blame to Israel, while the Marciano family’s allegations point to a targeted act by an individual within Gaza’s medical system. Without independent forensic analysis or access to the video, it remains difficult to conclusively determine the circumstances of Noa’s death. Nonetheless, the allegations have fueled calls for investigations into the conduct of medical personnel in Gaza and the broader treatment of hostages.

The Broader Context of Hostage Treatment

Noa Marciano’s case is part of a larger pattern of reported mistreatment of hostages taken during the October 7 attack. Multiple survivors have shared accounts of severe conditions in captivity, including starvation, psychological torment, and physical harm. For example, Segev Kalfon, a former hostage, described enduring beatings and being forced to choose between execution or injury during his 738 days in Gaza. Similarly, Rom Braslavski and Guy Gilboa-Dalal, both freed in 2025, recounted instances of mistreatment, including being starved while their captors ate in front of them. These testimonies, reported by outlets like The New York Times and the Daily Mail, underscore the dire circumstances faced by hostages.

Female hostages, in particular, have reported significant challenges, with some, like Amit Soussana and Ilana Gritzewsky, speaking out about their experiences in captivity. The case of Noa Marciano, however, stands out due to the alleged involvement of a medical professional, which raises ethical questions about the role of healthcare workers in conflict zones. The Hippocratic Oath, which emphasizes the duty to do no harm, appears to have been violated in this instance, if the allegations are true. This has prompted discussions about the accountability of medical personnel operating under the pressures of war.

International Reactions and Calls for Accountability

The allegations surrounding Noa Marciano’s death have elicited strong reactions from Israeli officials, advocacy groups, and international observers. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, a key organization representing families of those abducted, has intensified its calls for the return of all hostages, dead or alive, as part of ceasefire agreements. The group has organized rallies in Tel Aviv, with Noa’s case serving as a rallying cry for justice. Israeli authorities have vowed to investigate the incident, though the lack of access to Gaza complicates efforts to gather evidence.

Internationally, the claims have added fuel to debates about the ethics of medical practice in conflict zones. The World Health Organization (WHO) and other humanitarian bodies have yet to comment specifically on Noa’s case, but they have repeatedly called for the protection of medical facilities and personnel in Gaza. The involvement of a medical worker in an alleged act of harm could undermine trust in Gaza’s healthcare system, which has been strained by years of blockade, war, and resource shortages.

The United States, a key mediator in ceasefire negotiations, has also been drawn into the conversation. President Donald Trump’s 20-point ceasefire plan, implemented in October 2025, included provisions for the release of all hostages and increased aid to Gaza. While the plan has led to the return of 46 hostages, including the remains of some deceased, the case of Noa Marciano highlights ongoing challenges in ensuring compliance with the agreement. The continued withholding of remains, such as those of Ran Gvili, the last known Israeli hostage in Gaza, has further strained diplomatic efforts.

Ethical and Legal Implications

The allegation that a medical worker deliberately ended Noa Marciano’s life raises significant ethical and legal questions. Under international humanitarian law, medical personnel are obligated to provide care without discrimination, even to enemy combatants or prisoners. Deliberately causing harm to a patient, especially a vulnerable hostage, would constitute a serious violation of the Geneva Conventions. If verified, the incident could prompt calls for war crimes investigations, though the political and logistical barriers to such probes in Gaza are substantial.

Moreover, the act of recording and sending a video of Noa’s final moments to her family introduces an additional layer of psychological harm. Avi Marciano has spoken of the nightmares that continue to haunt him, underscoring the emotional toll of the incident. This tactic, whether intended to terrorize or manipulate, aligns with reports of Hamas using hostage videos for propaganda purposes, a practice that has been widely condemned.

The Role of Shifa Hospital in the Conflict

Shifa Hospital’s role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has long been contentious. Israel has accused Hamas of using the facility as a command center, a claim supported by IDF operations that uncovered tunnels and weapons caches in the area. Hamas and Gazan health officials have countered that Shifa is a civilian hospital struggling to cope with overwhelming casualties, with over 69,000 deaths reported in Gaza since October 2023, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The truth likely lies in a complex interplay of military and medical functions, with the hospital serving as both a lifeline for civilians and a strategic asset for militants.

The allegations against a Shifa medical worker further complicate this narrative. If true, they suggest that individual actors within the hospital may have acted contrary to medical ethics, potentially under coercion or ideological influence. Without access to the hospital’s records or the ability to interview staff, it is challenging to determine the full scope of what occurred.

The Marciano Family’s Grief and Advocacy

For Avi Marciano and his family, the loss of Noa has been compounded by the manner in which they learned of her death. The video, described as a cruel and deliberate act, has left lasting scars. Avi’s decision to speak publicly, first through an Instagram video shared by Israel activist Shai Deluca and later in media interviews, reflects a desire to seek justice and raise awareness. The family’s story has resonated with many in Israel, where the hostage crisis remains a national wound.

Noa’s parents have also criticized the initial response to her abduction, questioning why more was not done to secure her release. Their advocacy aligns with that of other hostage families, who continue to pressure the Israeli government and international mediators to prioritize the return of all captives. The emotional weight of their loss is evident in Avi’s words: “A medical professional decided to murder her.”

Moving Forward: Challenges and Unanswered Questions

As of December 2025, the allegations surrounding Noa Marciano’s death remain unresolved. Key questions persist: Who was the medical worker involved, and what motivated their actions? Was the act sanctioned by Hamas or an individual decision? Can the video be independently verified, and will it lead to accountability? These uncertainties highlight the difficulty of achieving clarity in a conflict marked by competing narratives and limited access to evidence.

The broader hostage crisis also remains a pressing issue. While the ceasefire agreement has facilitated the return of most hostages, the failure to secure the remains of Ran Gvili and others indicates ongoing challenges. The international community, including the Red Cross, has stepped up efforts to locate and repatriate remains, but progress is slow. For families like the Marcianos, closure remains elusive.

Conclusion

The case of Noa Marciano represents a tragic intersection of war, medical ethics, and human loss. The allegations that a Gaza medical worker ended her life, captured in a video sent to her father, have shocked the world and underscored the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. While the truth of what happened at Shifa Hospital may never be fully known, the incident has amplified calls for justice, accountability, and the protection of hostages. As the ceasefire process continues, the hope is that such tragedies will spur greater efforts to prevent harm and bring closure to grieving families.