TEL AVIV, Israel — For 15 months, American-Israeli Keith Siegel was held captive in Gaza, enduring extreme conditions and isolation. His release is part of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. Upon returning home, Siegel expressed his commitment to helping bring the other hostages home.
Siegel’s experience highlights the plight of the remaining 75 captives in Gaza. Their accounts are emerging, shedding light on the harsh realities they face. The families of released captives continue their public campaign, advocating for the release of all captives until everyone is free.
Siegel was moved frequently and kept alone from other hostages for about six months. He relied on meditation to stay grounded and imagined conversations with his family members in his head. His brother Lee Siegel said the full extent of Keith’s experience cannot be comprehended, and they are struggling to catch up after 484 days apart.
Romi Gonen, another released hostage, will require surgery and physical therapy for an untreated hand wound. Her mother Meirav Leshem Gonen described the effects of captivity on her daughter’s physical and mental health, including weight loss and loss of appetite.
The families of the hostages emphasize that their commitment to securing their release is driven by a desire to see all captives returned home safely. As the ceasefire agreement relies on renewed negotiations between Israel and Hamas, the campaign for the remaining hostages’ freedom continues.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/israel-freed-hostages-hamas-gaza-ceasefire-d2cc2f109b96b210f2613bd98fc2b806