In an emotional interview aired on Channel 12 this Sunday, former hostage Keith Siegel shared harrowing new details of his 484 days in Hamas captivity in Gaza.
By Rachel Avraham
In an emotional interview aired on Channel 12 this Sunday, former hostage Keith Siegel shared harrowing details of his 484 days in Hamas captivity in Gaza. His revelations shed new light on the brutal torture, psychological abuse, and inhumane conditions endured by hostages, sparking renewed international outrage and calls for the immediate release of all remaining captives.
Keith Siegel described his time in captivity as nothing short of “hell.” He recounted being kept in dark, suffocating tunnels, deprived of natural light, and given minimal food and water.
“Every day felt like a battle between life and death,” Siegel told Channel 12. “We were beaten, starved, and treated as if we were not human. The screams of tortured captives still haunt me.”
One of the most horrifying moments he described was witnessing a female hostage subjected to brutal torture: “I saw them pressing a sharp metal rod into her forehead. They forced me to tell her to confess to things she never did.”
Siegel detailed systematic abuse, including prolonged beatings, chaining, and starvation. Medical neglect was rampant—hostages with injuries or illnesses were denied treatment for weeks.
“The hardest part wasn’t just the beatings or the hunger—it was being cut off from my family. Not knowing if they were alive or safe was a torture that broke me from the inside,” Siegel confessed.
Siegel’s testimony highlights evidence of war crimes. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have called for immediate investigations: “The deliberate targeting and torture of civilians is a blatant violation of the Geneva Conventions,” said a spokesperson for Amnesty. “Keith Siegel’s story reflects the appalling reality many hostages still endure.” The United Nations has also demanded unrestricted humanitarian access to all areas of Gaza where hostages may be held.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded to Siegel’s revelations, stating: “The suffering of Keith and other hostages only strengthens our resolve. We will not rest until every Israeli citizen is safely returned home.” Military operations in Gaza continue with the dual aim of weakening Hamas’s infrastructure and securing the release of all remaining captives through international mediation.
Siegel’s interview has intensified diplomatic efforts. Western governments, including the United States and European Union, have urged Qatar, Egypt, and other regional powers to facilitate humanitarian negotiations. Siegel himself made a heartfelt appeal: “This is not just politics. This is human suffering of the worst kind. The world must act now to bring everyone home.”
Survivors like Keith Siegel and their families demand that the crimes they endured be documented and prosecuted. Legal experts suggest establishing international tribunals or special investigative panels to hold perpetrators accountable.
Photo from StandWithUs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kgkf-uF-mRs
