Hostage's Harrowing Tale: 484 Days of Captivity in Gaza

In an interview, freed hostage Keith Siegel shares his tormenting experiences during 484 days in Gaza. He describes the terrifying conditions, psychological torture, and ongoing threat of violence faced by him and fellow captives as the conflict between Israel and Hamas escalates.

Keith Siegel, an Israeli American from North Carolina, has opened up about his traumatic experience of being held captive in Gaza for 484 days. His captivity began on October 7, 2023, following a sudden attack by Hamas, which led to the abduction of Siegel and approximately 250 others. In a recent interview with The New York Times, Siegel detailed the grueling conditions of his imprisonment, where food was scarce, water was limited, and disobedience could lead to severe punishment.

One particularly horrifying incident involved the abduction of a female hostage. Siegel was forced to witness a brutal scene where the woman was subjected to a makeshift trial, complete with physical beatings and psychological torture aimed at extracting a confession. “I was told to tell her that the torture would continue until she admitted to whatever they accused her of,” he recalled, emphasizing the horrific nature of his captors’ methods.

Siegel’s release came on February 1, 2025, as part of a temporary cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas, yet he remains haunted by the ordeal. Despite his freedom, he remains acutely aware of the 59 other hostages still held in Gaza, with roughly 35 thought to be dead according to Israeli officials. The traumatic recounting of his experience highlights the ongoing human cost of the protracted conflict in the region.