Freed Israeli Hostages fear for the prisoners at Hamas

Freed Israeli Hostages fear for the prisoners at Hamas

Keith Siegel has been free for almost four months, but the lively memories of his 484 days as the hostage of Hamas continue to burden him heavily. The thoughts of those who are still caught in the tunnels of Gazas are also pursuing him.

memories of captivity

"It follows me every day," Siegel, a dual US Israeli citizen, told CNN. "Everything you go through is very difficult for me to endure. These thoughts don't let me go."

Siegel speaks not only about the physical and psychological abuse that he had to suffer from his kidnappers, as well as the overwhelming conditions and the malnutrition, whom he was exposed in the deep tunnels . He is also very afraid that Could kill hostages or make Hamas execute them.

Omer Shem Tov, one of the last hostages that were released before the In March Constant feeling of guilt. Every time he eats, he thinks of the hostages, the hunger. Every time he is showering, he knows that the people who are still prisoner in Gaza cannot do it.

"I feel it here," he says, pointing to his neck. "It feels like I'm suffocating."

Like many other freed hostages, Siegel and Shem Tov have also devoted a large part of their new freedom to be used for the release of the left behind. Shem Tov, 22 years old, sees the hostages as his brothers and sisters, after everything they went through. "I will fight for my family," he said to CNN. "They live through hell. Time is of crucial importance."

public support for an armistice

The majority of the Israeli public would like to take home the remaining hostage according to numerous surveys. For the survivors of captivity, the released hostages are the strongest voices of the movement. You see your commitment as an almost sacred commitment to those who are still in Gaza.

"The life of hostages is now more important than the elimination of Hamas," said Shem Tov.

Enlightenment about the cruelty of captivity

In the meantime, Siegel has raised awareness of the terrible conditions he had to suffer, and the dangers that the remaining hostages are exposed. During a conversation of his daughter in northern Israel, Siegel looked healthier than when he was released in February. He recovered something of the weight he had lost during captivity and his facial color has returned. Nevertheless, his thoughts always go back to the tunnels in Gaza and Matan Angrest, a 22-year-old Israeli soldier, and Omi Miran, a 48-year-old father of two children with whom he was held.

everyday life in captivity

"I think of you every day. Many times a day. And I'm worried about her - and I miss her," said Siegel. Seals and Miran were caught together for almost five months until July 2024, and spent the time to talk about their common music preferences and their love for their families. Miran has two daughters - Alma and Ronni, who are now 2 and 4 years old - whose name seals easily come over their lips.

"It was very difficult for Omri to imagine that his daughters grow up without her father and how much it has burdened him to miss the development of her milestones," explained Sieg.

Hope for exemption

Miran called Siegel directly in a hostage video published by Hamas. Siegel described his fellow prisoners as "another person ... in a negative way."

Although Siegel hesitates to describe his relationship with Angest as that of a father and son, it is clear that during the 67 days they were locked up in a very small room and shared a bed, they built a special bond. Angrest helped Siegel to improve his Arabic, talked about his love for the Maccabi Haifa football team and dreamed of one day to share a meal with him and see a game as soon as they are free.

Siegel mentioned that he, Angrest and Miran prayed that the Israeli army would save them in a daring action. But that changed in August when the Hamas executed six hostages, while Israeli troops approached their location. Seal learned about it in captivity and his dreams quickly turned into nightmares.

The dangers of war

"I was afraid that the IDF could try to save myself and I could be killed by the kidnappers," recalled Siegel. "This worries me in relation to the hostages that are still there." He believes that the expanding military operations of Israel are now increasing the threats to the life of the hostages, even if the Israeli military has promised to take precautions so as not to endanger the remaining prisoners.

"The war killed hostages," warned Siegel. "I think that can be avoided if all the hostages are brought back. This is the solution to bring them back - to make an agreement that enables this."

terrible moments in captivity

Shem Tov confirmed his fears. The frightening moments in captivity were for him when Israeli bombs fell around him, weapons from which he knew they were powerful enough to "take your life at any moment."

"I was afraid of dying from my own people from my own brothers," said Shem Tov.

political pressure for hostage exemption

Siegel and Shem Tov met with the US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and asked both to priority to an agreement for the liberation of the hostages. While the Israeli Prime Minister made it clear that he considers the defeat of Hamas to be more important than the liberation of the hostages, many supporters of the hostages put their hopes in Trump.

"I am at home because of his efforts," said Siegel. "I think he wants this and it is important to him. He told us. I ask him to do everything he can, and do this as soon as possible to back up an agreement and bring them back."

personal stories of the hostage victims

Shem Tov was also convinced that he was freed because of Trump's commitment. During her meeting in the Oval Office in the White House in March, Trump said to Shem Tov: "I have a good future in front of me."

During his captivity, Shem Tov lost more than 50 pounds. His food ration was reduced from the beginning two Pita breads and a little cheese to a single piece of pastry.

Nevertheless, he reported that his treatment by Hamas improved Trump's election, including a higher food intake.

"Hamas also stopped insulting me and putting me on," he added.

He often spoke about politics with his kidnappers and said that they wanted Kamala Harris to win the US elections.

"As soon as Donald Trump was chosen, they understood that he wanted to bring the hostages home," said Shem Tov.