LONDON — American Keith Siegel has been launched from captivity Saturday morning.
His launch happened in Gaza Metropolis the place he was taken onto a stage sporting 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 together with his household shortly.
“In accordance with data communicated by the Crimson Cross, one hostage was transferred to them, and they’re on their method 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 have 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 have been pushed out and handed over to Israeli authorities.
The discharge on Saturday has regarded completely different from earlier releases and was accomplished extra orderly with the group stored again at a distance.
Keith Siegel, who’s initially from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, was taken hostage alongside together with his spouse, Aviva Siegel in 2023. She was launched throughout the transient 2023 ceasefire and has waged a protracted 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 workforce in Gaza Metropolis on February 1, 2025, as a part of the fourth hostage-prisoner alternate. (Picture by Omar AL-QATTAA / AFP) (Picture by OMAR AL-QATTAA/AFP through Getty Pictures)
Omar Al-qattaa/AFP through Getty Pictures
“The commanders and troopers of the Israel Protection Forces salute and embrace the returning hostage as he makes his means 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 an announcement 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 an announcement shortly after he crossed over into Israel, saying they’re “crammed with 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 crammed with indescribable pleasure. Lastly, after 484 lengthy, terrifying days and nights, filled 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 america for bringing this blessed deal to fruition—a deal that prioritizes human life and embodies Jewish and Israeli values.”
“We’re grateful to the unimaginable 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 perpetually be in our hearts. Solely collectively can we carry everybody residence!”