Siegel, a resident of Kibbutz Kfar Aza in southern Israel, was abducted during the brutal attacks on Black Saturday, along with his wife, Aviva. The couple was taken from their home by Hamas fighters in the early hours of October 7, 2023, when violence erupted across the region.
Siegel, who holds dual American and Israeli citizenship, had been living in Israel for several years with his wife and children. His abduction made headlines worldwide, drawing attention to the growing number of hostages held by Hamas. The couple's two young children were left behind in the chaos but fortunately were not harmed. Aviva Siegel was released in a hostage exchange deal in November 2023, but Keith remained in Hamas captivity, his fate uncertain until recent developments.
The release of Keith Siegel is part of a broader negotiation, which is also expected to see the release of other hostages. A senior U.S. government official confirmed that Shagi Dekel Chen, another hostage, is likely to be freed shortly after Siegel. While some of the hostages with American citizenship are still alive, others are reported to have tragically passed away. These individuals, including Siegel, were held in various locations within Gaza by Hamas fighters.
Siegel’s situation has been a focal point of diplomatic efforts, with U.S. officials working closely with Israeli counterparts and international mediators. The ongoing efforts are expected to result in the release of several other hostages, including Agam Berger, the last remaining female soldier in captivity. However, the release of Arbel Yehud, a civilian also held by Hamas, remains uncertain. Israel is pressuring negotiators to ensure Yehud’s release before next Saturday, threatening to block Gaza residents’ movement to the northern part of the Strip if this condition is not met.
In the past few weeks, Israel has seen the return of several hostages. Four female soldiers—Daniella Gilboa, Liri Albag, Karina Ariev, and Naama Levi—were freed earlier this week. Last week, three civilians—Emily Damari, Romi Gonen, and Doron Steinbrecher—were released as part of ongoing negotiations. As of now, 90 Israelis are still being held by Hamas, with 34 confirmed dead.
The situation remains tense, with negotiations continuing in the hopes of securing the release of all those still in captivity.
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