What It’s About

Keith Siegel, a US-Israeli former hostage, was released after being held captive by Hamas for 484 days. Before his release, Siegel was forced to write a letter “thanking” his captors for their treatment.

Why It Matters

This incident underscores the manipulative and cruel tactics employed by Hamas, shining a light on the urgency and necessity of rescuing all remaining hostages. The coerced letter illustrates the cynical environment faced by hostages, highlighting the pressing need for international attention and action to ensure their safe return.

The Big Picture

Siegel was abducted along with his wife, Aviva, from Kibbutz Kfar Aza on October 7, 2023. While Aviva was released earlier, Siegel was freed following extended negotiations, emerging weak and paraded publicly by Hamas—an act that further exemplifies the group’s propaganda strategies.

What He’s Saying

Food paucity was a grave concern during Siegel’s captivity, where survival often required him to breach his vegetarian discipline. He described scarce food conditions and emphasized the inadequate treatment he received during his imprisonment.

The Propaganda Continues

In a further act of psychological warfare, four female soldiers were likewise forced to thank Hamas via Arabic propaganda films filmed during their release. Another hostage, Danielle Aloni, was coerced to articulate Hamas’s “humanity” in captivity, highlighting a systematic manipulation strategy by the terrorist group.

Conclusion

Such devious maneuvers by Hamas underline their disregard for human dignity and amplify the insistence on collective efforts to prioritize the liberation and safe return of remaining captives. These acts demand international condemnation and bolstered efforts to resolve hostage situations.

This story was first published on timesofisrael.com.