A former Israeli-American hostage urged President Donald Trump to do all he can to bring back home all who remain in Hamas captivity.
Keith Siegel was released two weeks ago after being held by the Palestinian militants and on the eve of the release of three more hostages under the current ceasefire agreement, he reached out to Trump in a video message.
“My name is Keith Siegel, and I am a 65-year-old American citizen. I love country music and I love pancakes on a Saturday morning,” he said. “But that was my previous life. Since February 1st, I am a newly released Hamas hostage. I am a survivor.”
“I was held for 484 days in unimaginable conditions, and every single day felt like it could be my last,” Siegel continued.
Israeli-American citizen Keith Siegel, who was released from Hamas captivity two weeks ago after being held captive for 484 days, recorded a video message for President Trump:
“I was held for 484 days in unimaginable conditions, and every single day felt like it could be my… pic.twitter.com/pM6vjbfdCD
— Bring Them Home Now (@bringhomenow) February 14, 2025
“President Trump, you are the reason I am home alive,” he said. “You are the reason I was reunited with my beloved wife, four children and five grandchildren.”
“When I was in Gaza, I lived in constant fear, fear for my life and my personal safety,” he recounted. “I was starved and I was tortured, both physically and emotionally.”
“Terrorists kicked me, spat on me, and held me with no water, no light, no air to breathe,” Siegel said of the brutal treatment.
He told the president that his “leadership, power and authority are necessary to enforce the ceasefire and put an end to the unnecessary daily dangers to the lives of innocent hostages and civilians.”
“I trust in your strength and leadership Mr. President,” the former hostage added. “The helpless hostages in the dark, cold tunnels in Gaza also trust you. Please bring them home.”
Hamas is set to release American-Israeli Sagui Dekel-Chen, Argentinian-Israeli Iair Horn, and Russian-Israeli Alexandre Troufanov on Saturday.
Siegel’s three siblings spoke of his 15-month ordeal with The Times of Israel, noting also how their mother had died before seeing her son again.
“His strategy was to stay within himself as much as possible,” his oldest brother, Lee Siegel, said. “He found his strategy to keep anchored, what number day it was, who he was with, and repeat it and repeat it.”
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.
Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida. Powers also contributes to BizPac Review.
- Accused illegal alien child rapists freed on ‘ridiculously low’ bail, ICE detainers ignored in Massachusetts - March 24, 2025
- Venezuela agrees to accept illegals with Tren de Aragua members, vows to rescue those ‘kidnapped’ in El Salvador - March 24, 2025
- ABC reporter aghast by ‘in-your-face’ and ‘unforgiving’ razor wire along San Diego border wall - March 24, 2025
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.