In a recent statement, former hostage Keith Siegel calls on President Trump to leverage his influence to facilitate negotiations for the release of hostages in Gaza amid the ongoing conflict.
Trump's Role in Securing Release of Gaza Hostages, Ex-Hostage Urges
Trump's Role in Securing Release of Gaza Hostages, Ex-Hostage Urges
Keith Siegel believes the U.S. president can help bring remaining captives home and end ongoing violence.
In Tel Aviv, Keith Siegel, an American Israeli who was held by Hamas for 484 days, pressed U.S. President Donald Trump to take action on behalf of the remaining captives still imprisoned in Gaza. The plea comes as Trump prepares to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House.
Siegel, 66, who was taken during the Hamas-led assaults on October 7, 2023, stressed that Trump has the capability to broker a deal to bring home the estimated 50 remaining hostages, many of whom are believed to be alive. “He has a lot of strength, power, and ability to put pressure on those that need to be pressured on both sides,” Siegel told the BBC.
While Trump has expressed hope for a ceasefire and a release agreement this week, talks between Israel and Hamas continue to stall. Indirect negotiations resumed in Qatar, yet they ended without any resolution, leaving the fate of the hostages uncertain. As Netanyahu expressed optimism about his upcoming discussions with Trump, any plan being considered reportedly includes the potential release of both alive and deceased hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
Siegel provided harrowing accounts from his captivity, describing beatings and torment by his captors. He emphasized the urgency of securing the release of the hostages, noting that while it is crucial to prioritize their safety, the long-term influence of Hamas in the region is also concerning. “We cannot let Hamas continue to threaten people, and I think Hamas is responsible for death on both sides,” he commented.
As the situation in Gaza escalates, with casualties now exceeding 57,000 according to the Hamas-run health ministry, Siegel reflects on the humanitarian impacts of the ongoing conflict. He calls for a balanced approach that ensures peace and security for both the hostages and the civilian populations affected by the violence.
Siegel continues to advocate for the remaining captives while maintaining that every individual deserves safety and freedom, extending his concerns beyond his own experience to encompass all innocent lives caught in the crossfire. “Any innocent person that is hurt or killed is something that I hope will not happen,” he concluded.
Siegel, 66, who was taken during the Hamas-led assaults on October 7, 2023, stressed that Trump has the capability to broker a deal to bring home the estimated 50 remaining hostages, many of whom are believed to be alive. “He has a lot of strength, power, and ability to put pressure on those that need to be pressured on both sides,” Siegel told the BBC.
While Trump has expressed hope for a ceasefire and a release agreement this week, talks between Israel and Hamas continue to stall. Indirect negotiations resumed in Qatar, yet they ended without any resolution, leaving the fate of the hostages uncertain. As Netanyahu expressed optimism about his upcoming discussions with Trump, any plan being considered reportedly includes the potential release of both alive and deceased hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
Siegel provided harrowing accounts from his captivity, describing beatings and torment by his captors. He emphasized the urgency of securing the release of the hostages, noting that while it is crucial to prioritize their safety, the long-term influence of Hamas in the region is also concerning. “We cannot let Hamas continue to threaten people, and I think Hamas is responsible for death on both sides,” he commented.
As the situation in Gaza escalates, with casualties now exceeding 57,000 according to the Hamas-run health ministry, Siegel reflects on the humanitarian impacts of the ongoing conflict. He calls for a balanced approach that ensures peace and security for both the hostages and the civilian populations affected by the violence.
Siegel continues to advocate for the remaining captives while maintaining that every individual deserves safety and freedom, extending his concerns beyond his own experience to encompass all innocent lives caught in the crossfire. “Any innocent person that is hurt or killed is something that I hope will not happen,” he concluded.
