Former Hamas Hostage Recounts Terror, Fears for Those Still Captive

Gazan Hostage Recounts Ordeal: 'I Was Afraid of Rescue Attempts' Gazit, Israel – Keith Siegel, an Israeli-American citizen, recently shared his harrowing experience as a Hamas hostage during the October 2023 conflict. Siegel, who was kidnapped from his home in Kibbutz Kfar Aza, was released earlier this year as part of a ceasefire agreement. In an exclusive interview with CNN's Jeremy Diamond, Siegel described his captivity, the fear of air strikes, and the brutal treatment he and other hostages endured. "I spent most of my time in captivity above ground," Siegel recounted, his voice filled with emotion. "It was terrifying. When the bombings intensified, it was...scary." He vividly described being blown from his chair during an air strike and the shattered windows of his apartment. Siegel's account reveals the psychological toll of captivity. He describes his constant fear that an IDF rescue attempt would lead to his death at the hands of his captors. He also witnessed horrific abuse of other hostages, describing one incident where a woman was tied up and threatened with a pointed metal rod. "That happened for two consecutive days," he stated, his voice heavy with the memory. Siegel's testimony underlines the human consequences of the conflict and the urgent need for a lasting peace. His words serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of securing the release of all remaining hostages.