Keith Siegel, a 65-year-old American-Israeli, was released from captivity in Gaza on Saturday (February 1) after being held by Hamas for over 15 months. Siegel was taken hostage on October 7, 2023, during an attack on Kibbutz Kfar Aza. His wife, Aviva Siegel, was released during a ceasefire in November 2023 and has since campaigned for his release.
Siegel’s release was part of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, which also saw the release of two other hostages, Yarden Bibas and Ofer Kalderon. In exchange, Israel freed nearly 200 Palestinian prisoners. The ceasefire agreement is being mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, with further negotiations expected in Cairo next week.
The release took place in Gaza City, where Siegel walked onto a stage flanked by armed Hamas forces before being handed over to the Red Cross. He is now undergoing medical checks in Israel.
President Donald Trump claimed credit for Siegel’s release, stating that his administration worked diligently to secure the freedom of all hostages. Siegel’s family expressed their gratitude, saying they were “filled with indescribable excitement” to have him back.
The ceasefire agreement, which began on January 19, aims to release a total of 33 hostages in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. However, concerns remain about the health of the hostages and the possibility of the deal collapsing before all are released. Approximately 80 hostages remain in Gaza, with at least a third believed to be dead.
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