Hamas video shows North Carolina native held hostage in Gaza

A video released by Hamas on Saturday shows Keith Siegel, an Israeli American and a native of Chapel Hill who was taken hostage during the Oct. 7 attack on Israel.

CNN reported on Saturday that in the video, Siegel “appears to be speaking under duress” and “pleads for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to negotiate a hostage release deal with Hamas.”

Siegel and his wife, Aviva, were driving together when they were captured from their home in Kibbutz Kfar Aza. Siegel’s wife was released during a humanitarian cease-fire in November.

Earlier this month, Siegel’s wife testified before Congress about being held captive by Hamas, and she met with lawmakers and White

House officials as she sought help in getting her husband released.

Aviva Siegel told McClatchy that before she was released, her husband told her that once his own release was secured, he wanted to come back to North Carolina to visit his mother, who, because of her age, has not been told about his captivity.

U.S. Sen. Ted Budd, R-N.C., said in a statement Saturday that he was encouraged to see that Keith Siegel was alive. Budd demanded that Hamas release Siegel and all of the other hostages being held by the U.S.-designated terrorist organization “immediately and unconditionally.”

“The release of this video for purposes of propaganda and psychological torture is further example of the true, evil nature of Hamas,” Budd said. “We remain committed to bringing Keith and all hostages home.”