Freed Hostage Recalls 484 Days of Captivity in Gaza

In a chilling account, Keith Siegel describes the psychological and physical torment faced during his captivity by Hamas in Gaza, highlighting the ongoing plight of remaining hostages.

Keith Siegel, an Israeli American who originally hails from North Carolina, endured a lengthy hostage ordeal spanning 484 days in Gaza, a situation that began on October 7, 2023, amid a violent conflict sparked by Hamas's attack on Israel. Reflecting on his harrowing experience, Siegel recounted being faced with dire conditions—rare meals, insufficient water, and, crucially, the threat of extreme violence for any disobedience.

During a particularly traumatic encounter, Siegel was taken into a room where a fellow hostage was being tortured. The guards were demanding confessions from her, reportedly using primitive tools for physical punishment. In a moment of sheer terror, Siegel was ordered to participate in the intimidation, suggesting that the abuse would continue until the victim confessed.

Siegel, who was released on February 1 as part of a short-lived cease-fire agreement, reported that he and the remaining 59 hostages still in Gaza now carry the weight of their communal suffering. The Israeli government fears that around 35 of those still held captive may have perished. As Siegel reflects on the brutality he witnessed, his story underscores the ongoing human suffering and turmoil faced by families and hostages entangled in this conflict.