Trump administration officials and members of Congress issued statements on Saturday lauding the release of Keith Siegel, an American citizen who was one of three Israelis freed from captivity in Gaza earlier in the day, after 484 days in Hamas captivity.
Members of the administration and some of the US lawmakers praised President Donald Trump for helping to secure the release of hostages.
“Americans celebrate the return of American-Israeli citizen Keith Siegel and two Israelis who were held captive by Hamas terrorists since October 7, 2023,” Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, said yesterday. “President Trump and his administration have worked diligently to secure their release and are committed to freeing all remaining hostages.”
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated: “We celebrate the release of three hostages from Hamas captivity in Gaza, including American Keith Siegel.”
“We are grateful that he will be with his wife Aviva again, more than 480 days after they were taken from their home in Israel. President Trump has made the safety and security of Americans around the world the top priority of his administration,” Rubio said, adding: “The United States will continue to work with Israel to reunite all remaining hostages with their families and to secure peace in the region.”
North Carolina Governor Josh Stein, the state’s first Jewish governor, said that he and his wife were “rejoicing that at long last, Keith Siegel is free from Hamas and reunited with his family.”
Siegel is originally from Chapel Hill in North Carolina.
Governor Stein continued: “Let us celebrate for the families who are finally reunited and continue working towards the freeing of all American hostages and a lasting peace for the region”. The Democrat, who assumed office last month, added: “There has been too much suffering.”
“After more than a year in the brutal captivity of Hamas, North Carolina native Keith Siegel is finally free and will soon be reunited with his family on American soil,” stated North Carolina Republican Senator Thom Tillis.
He added: “I am grateful to President Trump and his administration for their steadfast devotion to bringing Keith and other Americans back home.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer stated that he “had the honor of meeting” Aviva and her and Keith’s family. “Aviva never rested for a moment in bravely advocating for Keith’s return,” the Jewish senator stated. “I cannot wait to see Keith home at last. I won’t stop working until all the hostages are home.”
Aviva and Keith Siegel were was abducted from their home in Kfar Aza on October 7.
She was held by Hamas for 51 days but was released in an earlier pause in hostilities.
Since her release, she has been a powerful advocate for the plight of the hostages held by the terrorist group.
She told the Knesset last year that both women and men held by Hamas were subject to sexual exploitation and abuse.
