On October 7, 2023, Keith and Aviva Siegel, grandparents in their 60s, were trapped in their safe room as Hamas militants stormed their kibbutz in southern Israel. With rockets and sirens filling the air, they soon found themselves under attack.
The Violent Assault
As the militants broke into their home, Keith and Aviva were violently assaulted. The attackers shoved Aviva out of a window, injuring her meniscus, and Keith was beaten, his ribs broken and hand shot. They were then forced at gunpoint into their own car and driven into Gaza, where they were taken into a small, cramped tunnel.
Life in Captivity
In the Gaza tunnel, the Siegels were held in pain and isolation for 51 days, moving from location to location. Keith described their experience: “We were put into a very small, cramped niche where we couldn’t stand or move.” They had limited access to the outside world, and after the first day, the guards left them alone in their suffering.
Keith recalled the hopelessness of their situation: “We screamed… ‘We need help. Please, come’… no response. No reply. [We] gave up.“
Bond Between Hostages
While in captivity, the Siegels were joined by two Israeli soldiers, Agam Berger and Liri Albag, who became their source of strength. Keith spoke about the bond that formed between hostages: “A very strong bond… being able to look after each other, physically, mentally, emotionally, and psychologically.”
The group provided emotional support for one another, with Keith often cheering them up with jokes, but he later fell into a deep depression. His fellow hostages, especially the young soldiers, pulled him out of it, reminding him that he had been a source of joy for them.
Moments of Comfort
During moments of intense bombing, Keith offered comfort to Berger, holding her hand and helping her calm down. Berger later recalled, “I never cried like that… I put my head on him, and I just cried. He was comforting me.“
In return, Berger expressed deep affection for the Siegels, saying they had become like parents to her. The connection between the hostages was unbreakable despite the terrifying circumstances.
Keith’s Continued Captivity and Call for Hostage Negotiations
After a brief ceasefire in November 2023, Aviva Siegel was released, but Keith remained in captivity. He endured psychological torture and witnessed the sexual assault of other hostages. Even after his release, Keith told 60 Minutes that he still thinks about the hostages and their suffering every day.
As the Israeli government resumes military action against Hamas, Keith urges world leaders to prioritize the negotiation for the release of the remaining hostages. “Every day that this goes on is just more and more suffering… it needs to be done now,” he said.