Released NC hostage advocates for those remaining in Hamas captivity

Chapel Hill native Keith Samuel Sigel, just four months after his release from Hamas captivity, is speaking out once again — this time urging action for the remaining hostages ahead of a high-profile meeting between former President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Trump and Netanyahu, on July 7, met to discuss negotiations to broker a Gaza ceasefire and a hostage release deal, according to Reuters. Israeli officials are continuing talks with Hamas. 

“I believe he has a lot of strength, power, and ability to put pressure on those that need to be pressured, on both sides in order to get the agreement, get the deal signed, and get all of the hostages back and bring an end to the war,” Siegel told BBC News.

Since Day 1, @POTUS has prioritized securing the release of U.S. hostages around the world, including Keith Siegel from NC.

For 640 days, Hamas has held 50 hostages in Gaza, including 2 Americans. Hamas must release them or face swift consequences. https://t.co/47AikrPlFh

— Senator Ted Budd (@SenTedBuddNC) July 7, 2025

Sen. Ted Budd, R-NC, made a similar statement in June when the bodies of Judy Weinstein and Gad Haggi were released to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). The bodies of Itay Chen and Omar Neutra are still held by Hamas.

Last night, the @IDF recovered the bodies of Americans Judy Weinstein-Haggai and Gadi Haggai from Gaza. This is nothing short of heartbreaking. Amy Kate and I are praying for their loved ones as they mourn this tragedy.

We must not rest until all those held by Hamas, especially…

— Senator Ted Budd (@SenTedBuddNC) June 5, 2025

Siegel was released on Feb. 1 after 484 days in captivity as part of the fourth wave of hostages under the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement. 

“It’s of the highest priority and urgency to get all of the 50 hostages back as soon as possible,” continued Siegel. “We cannot let Hamas continue to threaten people and to kill and murder people, and I think Hamas is responsible for death on both sides.”

Siegel is not only a Chapel Hill native but also the first American hostage to be released from captivity under the ceasefire agreement. Siegel and his wife Aviva were taken captive on Oct. 7, amongst the 253 hostages captured by Hamas. Aviva was released after 51 days in captivity.

This is not the first time he has spoken out on behalf of his fellow captives since his release. Just one month after his release from Hamas, Keith was on Capitol Hill with his wife Aviva advocating for the release of the remaining hostages. He also shared two video messages advocating for the release of the remaining hostages via the Instagram account of the Hostages and Missing Families Forum.

“I love country music, and I love pancakes on Saturday morning; but that was my previous life,” Siegel said in one of those videos. “I was held for 484 days in unimaginable conditions. Every single day felt like it could be my last.”

Reuters reported that the Trump administration plans to meet with Iran within the next week or so, according to Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. 

“I am of the belief that we could very much easily resolve our differences and conflicts with the United States through dialogue and talks,” Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told Tucker Carlson in a podcast interview. 

“North Carolina Democrats are out of touch with reality and apparently oblivious to the real suffering one of our fellow North Carolinians endured,” Matt Mercer, communications director for the NCGOP, told the Carolina Journal. “Keith Siegel’s detailing of his brutal treatment at the hands of Hamas is real — and Democrats who accuse Israel of apartheid, genocide, and an end to US support would cause more death and less peace around the world.”

The post Released NC hostage advocates for those remaining in Hamas captivity first appeared on Carolina Journal.

The post Released NC hostage advocates for those remaining in Hamas captivity appeared first on First In Freedom Daily.