Former Hamas Captive Claims Trump Has the Power to Secure Release of Hostages in Gaza
An American Israeli man who was held captive by Hamas has stated in an interview with the BBC that U.S. President Donald Trump has the capability to secure the release of the remaining hostages and bring an end to the war in Gaza.
Keith Siegel, 66, was abducted from Kibbutz Kfar Aza during the Hamas-led attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023. He spent 484 days in captivity before being released this February as part of a ceasefire agreement that Trump helped negotiate shortly before taking office. Siegel’s wife, Aviva, was also taken and held for 51 days before being freed during an earlier ceasefire.
As he addressed the media in Tel Aviv ahead of a meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Trump at the White House, Mr. Siegel expressed his gratitude to Trump for his role in his own release.
He argues that the president now has the opportunity to assist in securing the release of the remaining 50 hostages, of whom up to 20 are believed to still be alive.
“I believe he has a lot of strength, power and ability to put pressure on those that need to be pressured, on both sides in order to get the agreement, get the deal signed, and get all of the hostages back and bring an end to the war,” Siegel stated.
Trump has expressed optimism about reaching a new ceasefire and hostage release agreement this week, although considerable differences still exist between Israel and Hamas. Indirect negotiations between the two sides resumed in Qatar on Sunday evening but concluded after three hours without any resolution, according to a Palestinian official.
Before traveling to Washington, Netanyahu expressed belief that his meeting with Trump could "definitely help advance that result we are all hoping for." The proposed plan reportedly involves the staggered release of 10 living hostages along with the return of the bodies of 18 deceased hostages in exchange for Palestinians held in Israeli jails.
On Friday, Hamas indicated that it had offered a "positive response," but a Palestinian official disclosed that several changes had been requested, including a U.S. assurance that hostilities would not recommence if negotiations for ending the war broke down—an idea Netanyahu has previously dismissed.
In his interview, Siegel recalled the harrowing experience of his captivity, describing how Hamas members assaulted and taunted him, and shared that he remains haunted by the torture of a female captive he witnessed.
He revealed that Hamas operatives relocated him through various streets in Gaza, sometimes in daylight, moving him to 33 different locations during his confinement.
When asked if he would endorse a deal that facilitated the release of hostages but allowed Hamas to maintain power in Gaza, Siegel emphasized, "It's of the highest priority and urgency to get all of the 50 hostages back as soon as possible." However, he added, "We cannot let Hamas continue to threaten people and to kill and murder people, and I think Hamas is responsible for death on both sides."
The health ministry run by Hamas in Gaza reports that over 57,000 people have lost their lives since Israel commenced military operations in response to the October 7 attacks, during which approximately 1,200 individuals were killed in Israel, and 251 others were taken hostage.
In response to a question about the suffering of the Gazan population, Mr. Siegel asserted, "I believe that peace and security for all people and freedom... are basic human rights that every person deserves. I think it's the responsibility of all leadership to ensure that that happens. Any innocent person that is hurt or killed or murdered is something that I hope or I dream will not happen."