‘You are the reason I am home’: Freed hostage Keith Siegel thanks Trump, asks him to ensure remaining hostages are freed

Recently released hostage Keith Siegel issues a video statement thanking US President Donald Trump for his administration’s work in securing his release on February 1 as part of the ceasefire and hostage release deal with Hamas, and asks him to ensure that the agreement remains intact until all the remaining hostages are freed.

“My name is Keith Siegel and I’m a 65-year-old American citizen. I love country music and I love pancakes on Saturday morning, but that was my previous life,” he begins, sitting in front of the camera with a yellow ribbon pinned to his sweatshirt.

“Since February 1, I am a newly released Hamas hostage. I’m a survivor. I was held for 484 days in unimaginable conditions. Every single day felt like it could be my last,” Siegel says.

“President Trump, you are the reason I am home alive,” he continues. “You are the reason I was reunited with my beloved wife, four children and five grandchildren.”

“When I was in Gaza, I lived in constant fear, fear for my life and my personal safety,” Siegel recounts. “I was starved and I was tortured, both physically and emotionally.”

He says that when the fighting between Israel and Hamas intensified, his captors treated him even worse than they usually did. “Terrorists kicked me, spat on me, and held me with no water, no light, no air to breathe,” he says.

Appealing to Trump, Siegel says that his “leadership, power and authority are necessary to enforce the ceasefire and put an end to the unnecessary daily dangers to the lives of innocent hostages and civilians.”

“I trust in your strength and leadership Mr. President,” he says. “The helpless hostages in the dark, cold tunnels in Gaza also trust you. Please bring them home.”

Israeli-American citizen Keith Siegel, who was released from Hamas captivity two weeks ago after being held captive for 484 days, recorded a video message for President Trump:

"I was held for 484 days in unimaginable conditions, and every single day felt like it could be my… pic.twitter.com/pM6vjbfdCD

— Bring Them Home Now (@bringhomenow) February 14, 2025