Hamas releases first video showing life of American Keith Siegel held hostage in Gaza
Seagal (right) and Miran (left) were both kidnapped by terrorists during the Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7 (Image: X)
Saturday’s video comes as Hamas says it is studying Israel’s latest counter-proposal for a Gaza ceasefire, following reports that mediator Egypt had sent a delegation to Israel to jump-start the stalled talks .
The armed wing of the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas has released a video showing the first evidentiary footage of the life of American hostage Keith Siegel held in Gaza. Another hostage, Omri Miran, also appears in the more than three-minute long video.
Both Seagal and Miran were abducted by militants during a Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7.
In the video, both the hostages are seen talking under pressure. Seagal looked thin and at one point began to cry while talking about his captivity.
“We are in danger here, there are bombs, it is stressful and scary,” she said, crying, burying her face in her arms.
“I want to tell my family that I love you very much. It’s important to me that you know I’m okay.
“I have very, very beautiful memories of last year’s Passover, which we all celebrated together. I really hope we get the best possible surprise,” he said, appealing to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reach an agreement soon.
Siegel said he had seen footage of demonstrations taking place in Israel demanding an agreement to release the hostages.
“I hope and trust that you will all continue,” he said, addressing protesters who have been holding regular rallies to urge Netanyahu to agree to a deal.
The latest video comes just three days after Hamas released another video showing hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin alive.
Miran, who also spoke in the video, said, “I have been here in captivity of Hamas for 202 days. The situation here is unpleasant, difficult and there are many bombs.” This shows that the video was taken earlier this week.
“Now is the time to reach an agreement that will get us out of here safe and sound… Keep protesting so that an agreement can be reached now,” he said.
Following the release of the video, the campaign group Hostages and Missing Families Forum urged the Israeli government to “do everything to approve an agreement for the return of all hostages before Independence Day (on May 14).”
“The living must return for rehabilitation, and those killed must receive a dignified burial.” The platform said.
Saturday’s video comes as Hamas says it is studying Israel’s latest counter-proposal for a Gaza ceasefire, following reports that mediator Egypt had sent a delegation to Israel to jump-start the stalled talks .
According to Israeli officials, Hamas-led militants kidnapped about 250 people during their attack on Israel on October 7.
The army says 129 of them are still held in Gaza, including 34 who have died.
The attack killed 1,170 people, the majority of whom were civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures.
Israel’s retaliatory military offensive in Gaza has killed 34,388 people, most of them women and children, according to the territory’s health ministry.
(With AFP inputs)
