(NewsNation) — With President Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff set to meet with Israeli and Qatari officials in Rome on Thursday, the pressure to reach a ceasefire deal has hit a boiling point.
Right now, 20 hostages are still believed to be in Hamas captivity, with about 30 other bodies still unrecovered. The situation can only be described as dire, which is why former hostage Keith Siegel continues to be a vocal advocate for the remaining hostages.
Under the current deal between Israel and Hamas, only half the living hostages would be freed, and the bodies of 18 dead hostages would be released. Siegel, a United States citizen, is calling on the next ceasefire deal to include the release of them all.
He told “Elizabeth Vargas Reports” that it is urgent and the U.S. risks “losing them the longer the war goes on.”
“They are all in a life-threatening situation, the alive and the deceased,” Siegel said. “They all need to come back. I call upon Prime Minister {Benjamin} Netanyahu, and I call upon President Trump and the mediating countries to all secure an agreement that will bring all of the 50 hostages back as soon as possible and bring an end to the war.”
Siegel lacked knowledge of other hostages released
Siegel and his wife, Aviva, were violently kidnapped Oct. 7, 2023; he lost 110 pounds while in captivity while being starved and beaten by Hamas terrorists. Siegel was the first American hostage to be freed in February after 484 days.
However, while in captivity, Siegel didn’t have much knowledge about other hostages being released.
“I was not aware of what was going on, totally,” he said. “I had bits and pieces of information from time to time.”
“I never imagined that I would be released and the rest would stay behind. I have four friends of mine that I spent extended periods of time with in captivity that are still there. Four friends of mine and all of the 50 hostages and their families are suffering now for 656 days. I was released after 484 days, and I can’t imagine the suffering going on and on.”
Siegel struggling to move past time being held captive
Siegel is still having trouble coming to grips with what he went through during captivity, but he remains focused on one goal — getting all the hostages freed.
“I am here to speak on behalf of the 50 hostages and their families that are still going through this horrific tragedy. I’m focusing on whatever I can do to help get them back,” Siegel said. “I was lucky enough. I am fortunate enough, my wife Aviva, were both fortunate enough to have been released by an agreement that President Trump.”
Siegel has been meeting with members of Trump’s administration to help get a ceasefire deal done as soon as possible.