LONDON — American Keith Siegel has been launched from captivity Saturday morning.
His launch occurred in Gaza Metropolis the place he was taken onto a stage carrying a cap, flanked by masked and armed Hamas forces with the waters of the Mediterranean and the destroyed port behind them.
A crowd watched calmly from a brief distance away whereas Hamas photographers on stage and drones above filmed the discharge.
Siegel walked on his personal energy, and he’ll now endure medical checks earlier than being reunited along with his household shortly.
“In accordance with info communicated by the Crimson Cross, one hostage was transferred to them, and they’re on their option to IDF and ISA forces within the Gaza Strip,” learn a joint assertion from the IDF and the ISA.
Earlier on Saturday, two different hostages had been turned over to the Crimson Cross in Khan Younis, Ofer Kalderon and Yarden Bibas.
Each walked onto a stage flanked by armed and masked Hamas fighter after which taken into ready whereas Crimson Cross SUVs the place they had been pushed out and handed over to Israeli authorities.
The discharge on Saturday has regarded completely different from earlier releases and was executed extra orderly with the gang saved again at a distance.
Keith Siegel, who’s initially from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, was taken hostage alongside along with his spouse, Aviva Siegel in 2023. She was launched through the temporary 2023 ceasefire and has waged an extended marketing campaign to free her husband and the opposite hostages.
Palestinian militant group Hamas fighters escorts American-Israeli hostage Keith Siegel earlier than handing him over to a Crimson Cross group in Gaza Metropolis on February 1, 2025, as a part of the fourth hostage-prisoner trade. (Photograph by Omar AL-QATTAA / AFP) (Photograph by OMAR AL-QATTAA/AFP through Getty Photographs)
Omar Al-qattaa/AFP through Getty Photographs
“The commanders and troopers of the Israel Protection Forces salute and embrace the returning hostage as he makes his method residence to the State of Israel,” a joint assertion from the IDF and ISA learn. “The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit asks everybody to respect the privateness of the returning hostage and his household.”
“The Israeli authorities embraces the return of Keith Siegel,” learn a press release from the Israeli prime minister’s workplace. “His households have been knowledgeable by the designated authorities that he’s a member of our forces. The federal government, along with all safety businesses, will accompany him and his households. The Israeli authorities is dedicated to the return of all kidnapped and lacking individuals.”
Siegel’s household launched a press release shortly after he crossed over into Israel, saying they’re “full of indescribable pleasure” and thanked President Trump “for bringing our father again to us.”
“At this very second, our father is setting foot on the soil of the Land of Israel, and we’re full of indescribable pleasure. Lastly, after 484 lengthy, terrifying days and nights, stuffed with immense fear for our father, we will breathe once more,” the assertion learn.
“Thanks President Trump, for bringing our father again to us. There are actually 79 hostages who’re additionally ready to be reunited with their family members. Our hope rests with you. We additionally want to thank the governments of Israel and the US for bringing this blessed deal to fruition—a deal that prioritizes human life and embodies Jewish and Israeli values.”
“We’re grateful to the unbelievable IDF troopers and safety forces who threat their lives and our bodies, and we ship our condolences to the bereaved households who’ve misplaced their most valuable family members for the sake of us all,” the assertion continued. “You’ll eternally be in our hearts. Solely collectively can we convey everybody residence!”
