Keith Siegel, an American-Israeli who spent 484 days in Hamas captivity, released a video message on Friday appealing to U.S. President Donald Trump to help secure the release of all remaining hostages.
Siegel, 65, was abducted from his home in Kfar Aza during the October 7 Hamas attack, along with his wife, who was freed in 2023. In the video, he described harsh treatment at the hands of his captors.
Hamas captivity survivor Keith Siegel in a message to US President Donald Trump
(Video: Hostages and Missing Families Forum)
"I was starved, and I was tortured both physically and emotionally," Siegel said. "When the war intensified, the terrorists who held me treated me even worse than usual—they kicked me, spat on me, and held me with no water, no light and no air to breathe."
He directly addressed Trump, thanking him for his bold leadership in combating terrorism and urging him to take action to free the remaining hostages.
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"You are the reason I am alive," Siegel told Trump, calling on him to enforce the cease-fire and ensure the release of hostages still held in Gaza.
"Your leadership, power and authority are necessary to put an end the daily danger to the lives of innocent hostages and civilians," he said. "I trust your strength and leadership, Mr. President, to help the hostages in the dark, cold tunnels in Gaza. Please bring them home."
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Keith Siegel during his release from Hamas captivity
(Photo: Dawoud Abu Alkas / Reuters)
Siegel's plea comes as Israel awaits the release of three more hostages expected on Saturday.
A Hamas official said Friday that U.S.-Israeli hostage Sagui Dekel-Chen is set to be released on Saturday along with two others, while Iran-backed Palestinian Islamic Jihad announced it would release Russian-Israeli hostage Alexander (Sasha) Trupanov as part of an ongoing deal.
According to Israeli officials, 76 hostages remain in captivity in Gaza, with 17 scheduled for release under the current agreement—nine of whom are confirmed to be alive.