A US citizen is one of two hostages to speak in a new kidnapping video released today by Hamas.
Keith Siegel, 64, appears alongside Omri Miran, 46, in the three-minute edited video, which shows the two men calling for a hostage deal between Hamas and Israel.
The proof-of-life clip appears to have been recorded recently with Mr Siegel mentioning the Passover holiday, which began on April 22, and Mr Miran saying he was held captive for 202 days, suggesting he spoke on April 26.
Mr. Siegel was kidnapped by Hamas from his home on Kibbutz Kfar Aza during the October 7 attacks.
His wife Aviva was also captured in the raid, but was released in a deal in November.
Keith Siegel (pictured, in today’s video) was kidnapped by Hamas from his home on Kibbutz Kfar Aza during the October 7 attacks.
Omri Miran (pictured), 46, also appears in the edited three-minute video, which shows the two men calling for a hostage deal between Hamas and Israel.
Mr. Miran, an Israeli citizen, was kidnapped the same day from Kibbutz Nir Oz.
In the video, the hostages urge protesters in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem to continue protesting for the release of the captives.
The two men said: “Only under pressure will the government reach an agreement with Hamas. »
Mr. Siegel and Mr. Miran added that they hoped to be home by Independence Day, May 13, i24 News reports.
In a statement following the release of the video, the family headquarters said: “The sign of life of Kit Segal and Amri Miren is the clearest proof that the Israeli government should do everything to approve an agreement to return all people kidnapped even before Independence Day. » the living must be rehabilitated and the murdered must be buried with dignity.
Mr. Siegel, a native of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, moved to Israel 40 years ago.
According to Bring Them Home Now, the 64-year-old works as an occupational therapist.
Elsewhere, he and his wife were described as “aid workers living in Kfar Aza.”
Mr. Siegel (photo), originally from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, moved to Israel 40 years ago.
The latest video comes after a clip proving the life of Israeli-American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin (pictured) was released on Wednesday, almost seven months after his kidnapping following the brutal October 7 invasion.
He was one of around 250 hostages taken by Hamas on October 7.
Israel has repeatedly said it plans to evacuate displaced civilians from Rafah ahead of a six-week military operation expected to begin in May.
Relatives of hostages held by Hamas are gathering to protest against the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and demanding an end to the war and their immediate return to their homes.
Mr. Siegel’s sister, Lucy, and niece Hanna attended President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address last month as guests of Republican Senators Ted Budd and Thom Tillis.
Other American hostages, including Edan Alexander, Itai Chen, Sagui Dekel-Chen, Omer Neutra and Hersh Goldberg-Polin, were represented by family members in the House of Representatives, with a total of 17 relatives attending the speech on 8 March.
The two freed hostages pictured were Liat Beinin Atzili and Avigail Idan, who spent four years in captivity before being freed during a truce in November. The two murdered hostages depicted were Judy Weinstein and Gad Haggai.
More than 100 captives were exchanged for Palestinian detainees during a break in fighting in November.
The Biden administration is pushing for a second temporary ceasefire to exchange some of the remaining hostages.
The latest video follows the release on Wednesday of a clip proving the life of Israeli-American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, nearly seven months after his kidnapping following the brutal October 7 invasion.
The 24-year-old, born in California in March 2000, who was kidnapped from the Nova Festival on October 7, was seen in the video accusing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of leaving him in the terrorist group for 200 days .
Hamas said on Saturday it was studying a new Israeli proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza, as Egypt stepped up efforts to broker a deal to end the months-long war and prevent a possible Israeli ground offensive in the town of Rafah, south of Gaza.
Khalil al-Hayya, a senior Hamas official, said the Palestinian militant group was evaluating the Israeli proposal and “once its study is completed, it will submit its response.”
He gave no details of Israel’s offer but said it was a response to a Hamas proposal two weeks ago.
Negotiations earlier this month focused on a proposed six-week ceasefire and the release of 40 civilian and sick hostages in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
The Hamas statement comes hours after a high-level Egyptian delegation concluded its visit to Israel where it discussed a “new vision” for an extended ceasefire in Gaza, according to an Egyptian official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
It was not immediately clear whether Israel’s latest response to Hamas regarding a ceasefire was directly linked to Friday’s visit to Tel Aviv by Egyptian mediators.
Discussions between Egyptian and Israeli officials focused on the first step of a multi-phase plan that would include a limited exchange of hostages held by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners and the return of a significant number of displaced Palestinians to their homes north of Gaza. with minimal restrictions,” the Egyptian official said.
Mr. Siegel’s sister, Lucy, and niece Hanna attended President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address last month as guests of Republican Senators Ted Budd and Thom Tillis.
Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Michigan) and other Democrats wore scarves during the speech to show support for Gaza
Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) (left) and Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) (right) held signs calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Hamas sparked the war with its attack in southern Israel on October 7, in which militants killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took some 250 people hostage. Israel says militants still hold around 100 hostages and the remains of more than 30 others.
Since then, 34,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli air and ground offensive, according to the Health Ministry in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, about two-thirds of them children and women.
Israel has reported at least 260 of its soldiers killed since the start of ground operations in Gaza.
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