American-Israeli citizen Keith Siegel, 65, has been freed as part of the ongoing ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. This marks a significant development as Siegel is the first American captive taken during the October 7, 2023 attacks to be released under the current truce.
Alongside Siegel, French-Israeli Ofer Calderon and Yarden Bibas, father of the youngest hostages Kfir and Ariel Bibas, were also liberated. Siegel's captivity gained attention in April 2024 when a hostage video surfaced, confirming he was alive and reassuring his well-being.
Hamas had previously identified Yarden Bibas, Keith Siegel, and Ofer Kalderon as the next hostages slated for release. Siegel's wife, Aviva, expressed concern for his condition during a December 2024 interview, noting he appeared different in the hostage video and voicing worry about his state upon return.
Keith and Aviva Siegel were both captured during the initial attacks. Aviva was released in a prior hostage exchange and has tirelessly advocated for her husband's freedom. She expressed her deepest desire to see Keith reunited with their family and grandchildren.
Seven American citizens remain captive in Gaza, with two believed to be alive and four others deceased. Hamas retains the bodies of the deceased. The hostage videos, like Siegel's, serve as both proof of life and a component of Hamas's psychological tactics. Similar videos were released of Edan Alexander, believed to be alive, and Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who was tragically killed by Hamas during an Israeli rescue operation.
Released hostages have provided accounts of challenging conditions in captivity, including limited access to food, water, and sunlight, often held underground. The current ceasefire stipulates the release of 33 hostages over six weeks, with 10 released so far, including five female IDF soldiers. The transfer process has faced criticism, notably from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who briefly delayed the release of Palestinian prisoners to ensure the safe handover of the remaining hostages.
