Memory of a hostage: Keith Siegel’s sharp memory helps IDF and Israeli intelligence track down terrorists following his release

The couple was taken into Gaza, where they were held in captivity separately. While Aviva was released after 50 days, Keith was detained for an agonizing 487 days, most of which were spent in underground tunnels under inhumane conditions.

Keith’s release came as part of a prisoner exchange, coinciding with the inauguration of President Donald Trump. Despite enduring months of torment, his sharp memory and remarkable recollections proved invaluable to Israeli intelligence. His ability to recall detailed information about his captivity helped identify the locations and tactics of the terrorists responsible for his abduction.

Just days after returning to Israel, Keith met with Minister Rabbi Yitzhak Goldknopf, a senior member of the Charedi UTJ party. Exclusive footage of their meeting, shared by Belaaz News, revealed chilling details about Keith’s time in captivity.

“We were moved in three different vehicles,” Keith recounted. “They kidnapped us from our home in Kfar Aza using my car. Once we entered Gaza, we were transferred to a local vehicle, and later to another one. They put sacks over our heads so we couldn’t see. I don’t know how long it lasted, but we ended up in a house — from which we were taken down into a tunnel.”

During the first tunnel’s captivity, which lasted three days, Keith and his wife were moved around frequently. For the next two to three weeks, they were moved above ground, only to be transferred back underground.

“The second tunnel was extremely deep,” Keith recalled. “They told us it was 40 meters underground. To get to the bathroom, we had to walk 15 steps in a space without air. We were left there alone from 5:00 PM until 8:00 the next morning. If something happened to us, there was no one to call. They told us, ‘If there’s a problem, go to the stairs and call us.’ One night, when we were with another hostage who needed medication, we screamed for help — but no one came.”

Throughout his ordeal, Keith was transferred to 33 different locations, including two schools. “I remember every one of the 33 dates,” he said. “That’s how many times they moved us. I can still identify the places and even name some of the terrorists — information that proved useful to Israeli intelligence.”

Keith also spoke of the repeated deception he faced at the hands of his captors. After Aviva was released, Hamas led him to believe that he would be next. However, as time went on, his hopes were repeatedly dashed. “They told me I’d be the next one out. Every time there were talks of a deal, they said I’d be first. They also claimed that civilians would be released before soldiers — but that didn’t happen.”

The emotional toll of the experience was apparent as Keith described the heartbreak of seeing young female soldiers freed while he remained trapped. “When I saw young female soldiers being freed, I was happy for them, but also realized the promises made to me were lies.”

Despite being isolated, the hostages were able to follow developments through limited access to an Arabic-language TV, mainly Al Jazeera. They saw videos of released hostages, which gave them hope and reinforced the sense that the people of Israel were supporting them. “We knew the people of Israel were behind us,” Keith reflected.

During the meeting with Minister Goldknopf, Keith’s son-in-law mentioned how efforts to secure Keith’s release were ramped up, including campaigns in the U.S. “We campaigned for his release in the U.S., and we’re convinced that Trump’s return to the White House gave the final push needed for the deal. We also told Keith that the ultra-Orthodox ministers in the Israeli government were involved in efforts to secure his release.”

Keith’s ordeal and subsequent cooperation with Israeli intelligence serve as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the critical importance of memory in the fight against terrorism.