Hamas released a video showing two Israeli hostages kidnapped during the October 7 attack. They are US citizen Keith Samuel Siegel, who was taken from his home in Kfar Azza, and Omri Miran, who was taken from his home in Kibbutz Nahal Oz. In the images, both hostages describe a “harsh condition” due to the bombing of the Gaza Strip. Both send words of love to their families while a writing in Arabic inserted by Hamas states that “the killing of dozens of hostages in Israel’s raids has prevented others from celebrating the Jewish Passover with their loved ones”.
The appeal to Israel: «Free us»
Both Siegel and Miran appeal to the government of Israel to reach an agreement for their release which they ask is also pushed by their families with demonstrations and protests. The images of the two alternate with those of Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as they speak of the need for military pressure for the release of the hostages while the families of the victims increasingly ask for their release. For Hamas, liberation must be subordinated to the end of the war, which Israel in turn says it does not want to end as long as Gaza is under the leadership of the terrorist group. For its part, Israel has always defined these Hamas videos as “psychological propaganda”.
Who are the hostages Keith Siegel and Omri Miran
Keith Siegel, an Israeli-American had moved to Israel from the United States with his wife Aviva, who was also kidnapped on October 7 and later released in a prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas on November 26, 2023. The two live in Kfar Azza, on border with the Gaza Strip, for more than 40 years, where they raised a son and a daughter. Siegel worked as a doctor. Omri Miran’s sister was recently, together with other families, received by Pope Francis in the Vatican. Omri Miran’s father, Dani Miran, reports Haaretzspoke to Israeli news Channel 12 and said he felt “overwhelmed with joy” upon receiving the first sign of life from his son. «Judging from the pictures I can’t be sure but he seems fine. Very good. I just hope he’s well mentally too” said the man. The footage was released following repeated reports that most of the hostages captured on October 7 were dead. It was initially reported by Wall Street Journalwhich was followed by Israeli intelligence confirmation reported by Jerusalem Post. According to the latter, one hundred of the 133 hostages were dead.
