Hamas has released an American-Israeli hostage for the first time since the militant group’s cease-fire agreement with Israel took effect two weeks ago.
On Saturday, Keith Siegel was handed over to the Red Cross during a ceremony in Gaza City, with armed militants present.
Mr. Siegel, 65, and his wife, Aviva Siegel, 63, were abducted during the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, from Kibbutz Kfar Aza, a small community near the Gaza border.
Aviva Siegel was released during a brief cease-fire in November 2023 and has since been advocating for her husband's release.
A North Carolina native, Mr. Siegel immigrated to Israel in 1980 and has worked as an occupational therapist. The couple has nine children and grandchildren.
In June, Mr. Siegel’s brother, Lee Siegel, expressed frustration over the ongoing cease-fire negotiations, stating that each failed attempt made it harder to maintain hope.
The current cease-fire was established following over a year of indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas.
Leora Schwartz, Lee’s sister-in-law, expressed relief upon seeing Keith released, stating, “You feel like you can breathe again.”
Israeli authorities believe that only two other American-Israeli hostages remain alive, with one expected to be released in the next four weeks and the other in the second phase of the cease-fire.
Additionally, Israeli officials have indicated that Palestinian militants in Gaza are holding the bodies of four dual American-Israeli citizens.
Details regarding the second phase of the cease-fire have yet to be negotiated, but discussions are anticipated to begin soon.
Relatives of hostages scheduled for release in the second phase have voiced concerns that Israel may resume military action against Hamas if the group does not relinquish control over Gaza, potentially jeopardizing the safety of their loved ones.