#World News

'I’m in pieces' – Israeli hostage's agony over husband held by Hamas


By Lucy Manning, special correspondent

A released Israeli hostage whose husband is still being held by Hamas in Gaza has told the BBC she is “screaming” for him to be freed and has called on international mediators to do more.

Aviva Siegel was released in November after being held for 51 days. Her husband Keith has now been a hostage for 193 days.

The Siegels were kidnapped from Kibbutz Kfar Aza on 7 October when Hamas attacked Israeli communities near Gaza, killing about 1,200 people and taking 250 hostages.

Israel’s retaliatory campaign in Gaza has killed more than 33,000 Palestinians, the Hamas-run health ministry there says.

Aviva never imagined that nearly five months after she said goodbye to her husband in Gaza, he would still be held captive there enduring brutal conditions.

“I’m not speaking. I’m screaming and need help from the whole world to help take Keith out and all the hostages,” she said.

“I was there for 51 days. I know what it’s like and when I try and imagine Keith being thrown into the corner, on a mattress on the floor, with no human rights at all. It breaks my heart, and he’s not there for a day and not for two days. I’m back for nearly five months,” she said.

In her first interview with a British media outlet, the 62-year-old spoke not knowing if Keith, an American-Israeli grandfather, was still alive.



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