Former Hostage Urges Trump to Leverage Power for Hostage Release in Gaza

After being held captive by Hamas for 484 days, Keith Siegel is calling on President Trump to apply pressure on both Israel and Hamas to secure the release of remaining hostages. As ceasefire talks struggle, Siegel emphasizes the urgency of freeing the hostages and achieving lasting peace.

Keith Siegel, an American Israeli who endured 484 days in captivity by Hamas, is calling on U.S. President Donald Trump to leverage his influence to secure the release of hostages still held in Gaza. Siegel, who was taken from Kibbutz Kfar Aza during the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, emphasized the power Trump holds to mediate a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.

During an interview in Tel Aviv, Siegel expressed gratitude to Trump, who played a pivotal role in his release earlier this year through a ceasefire deal. He stated, "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."

As Trump prepares to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, discussions about a potential ceasefire are ongoing, albeit with significant hurdles still to overcome. Both sides resumed indirect negotiations in Qatar, which concluded without any tangible progress.

Netanyahu conveyed optimism that the meeting with Trump could aid in advancing the long-sought ceasefire. Current proposals under consideration involve the release of living hostages alongside the retrieval of deceased captives in exchange for Palestinians in Israeli jails. Hamas has indicated a preliminary positive stance but is pressing for amendments, including a U.S. commitment to halt hostilities in case of negotiation failures—a request Netanyahu has historically dismissed.

Siegel shared harrowing accounts of his time in captivity, reflecting on the abuse he endured from Hamas operatives and the ongoing trauma of witnessing the suffering of fellow hostages. When asked about potentially compromising with Hamas for the sake of securing hostage releases, Siegel stated, "It's of the highest priority and urgency to get all of the 50 hostages back as soon as possible." He also highlighted the necessity of eliminating the threat posed by Hamas, asserting that the group is accountable for numerous deaths on both sides.

In light of the conflict's staggering human toll—over 57,000 fatalities reported in Gaza since Israel's military response commenced—Siegel emphasized that peace and security should be universal rights. He underlined the need for all leadership to take responsibility in preventing further loss of innocent lives, expressing his hope that a resolution could be achieved for both the hostages and the troubled region.