Freed Hostage Testifies to Starvation in Gaza

American-Israeli Keith Siegel, who was captured by Hamas in the terrorist attack on October 7, 2023, and released on February 1 this year, tells that he was subjected to starvation and torture during his time as a hostage.

» Published:

Freed Hostage Testifies to Starvation in Gaza
Photo: Mohammed Hajjar/AP/TT

Share this article

When I was in Gaza, I lived under constant fear, fear for my life and my safety, says 65-year-old Siegel in a recorded speech addressed to US President Donald Trump.

Hamas sparked and spat on him, and held him captive without access to water or light, tells Siegel.

I was swallowed and tortured, both physically and emotionally.

Recently, the International Red Cross Committee, ICRC, which enables the exchange of captured Israelis and Palestinians in accordance with the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, alerted about the condition of the hostages.

The latest ones released were visibly emaciated and needed to be hospitalized when they returned to Israel. ICRC demands to visit those who are still in captivity.

"We are still very concerned about the conditions of the hostages", writes the organization on X.

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

320,000 Palestinians Evacuate Gaza City Amid Israeli Military Warnings

320,000 Palestinians Evacuate Gaza City Amid Israeli Military Warnings

Britain Prepares Royal Welcome for Trump's State Visit

Britain Prepares Royal Welcome for Trump's State Visit

Starlink Outage Impacts Ukraine's Defense Operations

Starlink Outage Impacts Ukraine's Defense Operations

Australia Faces Major Climate Change Impacts Over Next 25 Years

Australia Faces Major Climate Change Impacts Over Next 25 Years

EU Faces Backlash Over Trade Deal with Trump Amid Criticism

EU Faces Backlash Over Trade Deal with Trump Amid Criticism

Equatorial Guinea Island Faces Year-Long Internet Blackout After Protests

Equatorial Guinea Island Faces Year-Long Internet Blackout After Protests

Trump Urges Israel to Be Cautious After Qatar Attack

Trump Urges Israel to Be Cautious After Qatar Attack

Far-Right Gains Momentum in German Local Elections

Far-Right Gains Momentum in German Local Elections

Lula Defends Bolsonaro Verdict as Upholding Democracy, Not a Witch Hunt

Lula Defends Bolsonaro Verdict as Upholding Democracy, Not a Witch Hunt

Over 100,000 Join Pro-Palestinian Protest in Madrid, Disrupting Cycling Event

Over 100,000 Join Pro-Palestinian Protest in Madrid, Disrupting Cycling Event

Massive Ankara Protest Backs Turkish Opposition Amid Court Case

Massive Ankara Protest Backs Turkish Opposition Amid Court Case

Romania Summons Russian Ambassador Over Drone Airspace Violation

Romania Summons Russian Ambassador Over Drone Airspace Violation

Kirk Murder Suspect Tyler Robinson Not Cooperating with Authorities

Kirk Murder Suspect Tyler Robinson Not Cooperating with Authorities

Qatar Calls for Punishment of Israel After Attack in Doha

Qatar Calls for Punishment of Israel After Attack in Doha

Starmer Condemns Violence and Racism After London Protest

Starmer Condemns Violence and Racism After London Protest

Russian Fishing Vessel Rescued After Power Failure in Danish Waters

Russian Fishing Vessel Rescued After Power Failure in Danish Waters

Ukraine Linked to Russian Train Sabotage Causing Fatalities and Disruptions

Ukraine Linked to Russian Train Sabotage Causing Fatalities and Disruptions

Gaza Residents Flee Amid Escalating Conflict and Overcrowded Camps

Gaza Residents Flee Amid Escalating Conflict and Overcrowded Camps

Explosion in Madrid Leaves One Dead and 25 Injured

Explosion in Madrid Leaves One Dead and 25 Injured

Ukrainian Drones Target Major Russian Oil Refinery Near St. Petersburg

Ukrainian Drones Target Major Russian Oil Refinery Near St. Petersburg