An American citizen is one of two hostages speaking in a new kidnapping video released today by Hamas.
Keith Siegel, 64, appears alongside Omri Miran, 46, in the edited three-minute video, in which the pair are seen calling for a hostage deal between Hamas and Israel.
The proof of life clip appears to have been recorded recently with Siegel mentioning the Passover holiday, which began on April 22, and Miran saying he has been held captive for 202 days, suggesting he was speaking on April 26.
Siegel was kidnapped by Hamas from his home in Kibbutz Kfar Aza during the October 7 attacks.
His wife Aviva was also taken captive during the raid, but was released as part of a deal in November.
Keith Siegel (pictured, in today’s video) was kidnapped by Hamas from his home in Kibbutz Kfar Aza during the October 7 attacks.
Omri Miran (pictured), 46, also appears in the edited three-minute video, in which the couple is seen calling for a hostage deal between Hamas and Israel.
Mr. Miran, an Israeli citizen, was kidnapped the same day at Kibbutz Nir Oz.
In the video, the hostages urge protesters in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem to continue protesting for the captives to be released.
Both said: “Only under pressure will the government be able to reach an agreement with Hamas.”
Siegel and Miran added that they hope to be home for Independence Day on May 13. i24 News reports.
In a statement following the video’s release, the families’ headquarters said: “The signs of life for Kit Segal and Amri Miren are the clearest evidence that the Israeli government should do everything possible to approve an agreement to return everyone. those kidnapped even before Independence Day.” the living must be rehabilitated and the murdered must be buried with dignity.
Siegel, originally from 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 have been described as “aid workers living in Kfar Aza”.
Mr. Siegel (pictured), originally from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, moved to Israel 40 years ago.
The latest video comes after proof of life for Israeli-American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin (pictured) was released on Wednesday, almost seven months after he was kidnapped following the brutal October 7 invasion.
He was one of around 250 hostages taken by Hamas on October 7.
Israel has said several times it plans to evacuate displaced civilians from Rafah ahead of a six-week military operation likely to begin in May.
Relatives of hostages held by Hamas gather to protest against Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s government and demand an end to the war and their immediate return to their homes.
Siegel’s sister Lucy and niece Hanna attended President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address last month as guests of Republican Sens. 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 chamber, and 17 family members in total attended the March 8 speech.
The two freed hostages depicted were Liat Beinin Atzili and Avigail Idan, who served 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 lull in fighting in November.
The Biden administration is pushing for a second temporary ceasefire to exchange some of the remaining hostages.
The latest video comes after a proof-of-life clip of Israeli-American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin was released on Wednesday, nearly seven months after he was kidnapped following the brutal Oct. 7 invasion.
The 24-year-old, born in California in March 2000, who was removed from the Nova Festival on October 7, appears in the video blaming Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for leaving him with the terrorist group for 200 days.
Hamas said on Saturday it was reviewing a new Israeli proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza, as Egypt stepped up efforts to negotiate a deal to end the months-long war and prevent a possible Israeli ground offensive in the city of Rafah, in southern Gaza.
A senior Hamas official, Khalil al-Hayya, said the Palestinian militant group was evaluating Israel’s proposal and that “once its study is completed, it will present its response.”
He did not give details about Israel’s offer, but said it was in response to a Hamas proposal two weeks ago.
Negotiations earlier this month centered 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.
Hamas’ statement came hours after a high-level Egyptian delegation concluded a visit to Israel where it discussed a “new vision” for a prolonged 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 on a ceasefire was directly related to Friday’s visit to Tel Aviv by Egyptian mediators.
Discussions between Egyptian and Israeli officials focused on the first stage 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 in northern Loop. with minimal restrictions,’ the Egyptian official said.
Siegel’s sister Lucy and niece Hanna attended President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address last month as guests of Republican Sens. Ted Budd and Thom Tillis.
Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) and other Democrats wore scarves in the speech to show their support for Gaza.
Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) (left) and Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) (right) held signs calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Hamas sparked the war with its attack on southern Israel on October 7, in which militants killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took about 250 hostage. Israel says militants are still holding around 100 hostages and the remains of more than 30 others.
Since then, 34,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s air and ground offensive, according to the Health Ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza, about two-thirds of them children and women.
Israel has reported that at least 260 of its soldiers have been killed since the start of ground operations in Gaza.