RAMAT GAN, Israel (AP) — After spending 484 days in Gaza, Keith Siegel had a lot on his mind. Was his 97-year-old mother still alive? Who among his neighbors had died during the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023? And why did it take so long for him to be freed?
During his captivity, Keith had little access to news and only learned months later that his son had survived that terrible day. He knew his family was fighting for the release of hostages, but he craved more information about the world outside.
“He just wanted to know everything,” said his daughter, Elan. “He needed clarity.”
Now that some hostages have been freed as part of a fragile ceasefire, they are faced with overwhelming news about their loved ones and the devastation around them. Families must navigate how much information to share to avoid adding to their trauma.
Experts emphasize the need for sensitivity in these situations. Einat Yehene, a professional working with hostage families, stresses that information can be traumatic. “You have to be careful and monitor how much you share,” she explained.
For many, the adjustment has been incredibly difficult. Eli Sharabi, who was held captive for 16 months, learned that his wife and two daughters were killed on the very day of his release. His brother Sharon shared on Israeli Army Radio how painful that realization was, right after he had to participate in a staged event organized by his captors.
Or Levy, another released hostage, faced a similar tragedy. He discovered that his wife had died during the attacks after holding onto hope for so long. His young son, who had grown and changed dramatically in his absence, expressed it simply: “It took you a long time to come back.”
When Keith returned home, he immediately asked about his mother, Gladys. When he saw tears in his wife’s eyes, he understood she was gone. In captivity, he had picked up snippets of information, like hearing his daughter’s voice on the radio, mentioning that his son was alive.
Yarden Bibas, another freed hostage, faced mixed news about his wife and children. His captors told him his family was dead, but later reports contradicted that, causing further confusion and concern.
Beyond learning about personal losses, the freed hostages must catch up on over a year’s worth of global events. News that seemed distant suddenly became relevant. Changes in leadership, conflicts, and major events unfolded while they were imprisoned.
For Keith Siegel’s family, sharing information comes with caution. “We only answer what he asks,” Elan stated. But the questions kept coming. Keith needed to know about his community, the fate of his home, and the people he once knew. When he learned about the loss of 64 individuals from Kfar Aza, his reaction was subdued. “It’s like he forgot how to feel,” Elan explained.
Keith has become a symbol for the plight of hostages, often seen in protests across Israel. Before his release, supporters even made videos of themselves cooking his favorite pancakes. His wife, Aviva, prepared a special book filled with messages from leaders she had reached out to for his release. When Keith realized world leaders were aware of his situation but he remained captive, he was left stunned. “If they knew, how could I have been there for so long?” he wondered.
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Keith Siegel, Israel, Donald Trump, Benjamin Netanyahu, Hassan Nasrallah, Joe Biden, Hostage situations, Middle East, 2024 Mideast Wars, Israel government, Hamas, Criminal punishment, Gaza Strip, Floods, General news, War and unrest, Michael Levy, Religion, Eli Sharabi, Yarden Bibas, Einat Yehene, World news, Sharon Sharabi
