An Israeli American hostage recently freed from Hamas released a powerful message thanking Donald Trump for being the ‘reason I am home alive’ and urged him to bring those remaining in captivity home. 

Keith Siegel, 65, issued a statement on Friday commending the president for his ‘strength’ and ‘leadership’ during the conflict in Gaza while revealing the horrors he faced as a prisoner of Hamas. 

‘Since February 1, I am a newly released Hamas hostage. I’m a survivor. I was held for 484 days in unimaginable conditions. Every single day felt like it could be my last,’ Seigel said. 

‘President Trump, you are the reason I am home alive. You are the reason I was reunited with my beloved wife, four children and five grandchildren. 

‘Thank you for your continued fight against terror, and for your bold leadership that has brought me and many others back home to our families, to safety and to security.’ 

Seigel continued by praising Trump for his handling of the conflict and said his continued ‘leadership power and authority are necessary to enforce the ceasefire and put an end to the unnecessary daily dangers to the lives of innocent hostages and civilians.’ 

He said the horror he faced included being starved and tortured ‘both physically and emotionally.’ 

‘When I was in Gaza I was in constant fear, fear for my life and for my personal safety,’ he said. ‘Terrorists kicked me, spat on me and held me with no water, no light, no air to breathe.’ 

Keith Siegel, 65, issued a statement on Friday after being held captive by Hamas for 484 days in ‘unimaginable conditions.’ Seigel commended the President for his ‘strength’ and ‘leadership’ during the Gaza conflict

'President Trump, you are the reason I am home alive. You are the reason I was reunited with my beloved wife, four children and five grandchildren,' Seigel said

‘President Trump, you are the reason I am home alive. You are the reason I was reunited with my beloved wife, four children and five grandchildren,’ Seigel said

Seigel continued by praising Trump for his handling of the conflict and said his continued 'leadership power and authority are necessary to enforce the ceasefire and put an end to the unnecessary daily dangers to the lives of innocent hostages and civilians'

Seigel continued by praising Trump for his handling of the conflict and said his continued ‘leadership power and authority are necessary to enforce the ceasefire and put an end to the unnecessary daily dangers to the lives of innocent hostages and civilians’

‘I trust your strength and leadership. The helpless hostages in the dark cold tunnels in Gaza also trust you. Please bring them home,’ Seigel concluded. 

Earlier today, Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad released the names of three hostages set to be released tomorrow as part of the ceasefire deal with Israel. 

Israeli American hostage Sagui Dekel Chen, Israeli man Iair Horn and Russian Israeli man Alexander Trufanov are set to be released after more than 16 months in captivity. 

Eight hostages have been rescued by troops alive, and the bodies of 40 hostages have also been recovered, including three mistakenly killed by the Israeli military as they tried to escape their captors.

Hamas is also holding two Israeli civilians who entered the Strip in 2014 and 2015, as well as the body of an IDF soldier who was killed in 2014. The body of another IDF soldier, also killed in 2014, was recovered from Gaza in January.

The announcement comes days after Hamas threatened to delay the next release of Israeli hostages, accusing Israel of failing to meet its obligations to allow tents and shelters into Gaza, among other alleged violations of the truce.

In response, Israel threatened to open ‘the gates of hell’ on the Palestinian militant group – with the blessing of Donald Trump.

The US President said earlier this week that while the decision ultimately rests on Israel’s shoulders, if all of the hostages aren’t returned by Saturday noon ‘I would say cancel [the ceasefire] … all bets are off and let hell break out.’

Israel has taken issue with the way in which the hostage releases have been orchestrated, with several captives forced to make public displays of gratitude to Hamas fighters before being handed over to the Red Cross

Israel has taken issue with the way in which the hostage releases have been orchestrated, with several captives forced to make public displays of gratitude to Hamas fighters before being handed over to the Red Cross

In total, 33 hostages should be released by Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups in return for roughly 1,900 Palestinian prisoners held in Israel

In total, 33 hostages should be released by Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups in return for roughly 1,900 Palestinian prisoners held in Israel

It now appears the shaky ceasefire will hold as Hamas prepares to release the hostages as planned.

Meanwhile, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which has facilitated the ongoing hostage-prisoner swaps between Israel and Hamas, said today it was ‘very concerned’ about the condition of the remaining captives held in Gaza.

‘The latest release operations reinforce the urgent need for ICRC access to those held hostage. We remain very concerned about the conditions of the hostages,’ the Red Cross said in a statement on X.

‘We have consistently reiterated that release and transfer operations should be carried out in a dignified and safe manner.

‘The ICRC will continue our efforts to see all hostages released, until the last hostage is returned.’

The first phase of the ceasefire agreement is expected to last six weeks.

In total, 33 hostages should be released by Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups in return for roughly 1,900 Palestinian prisoners held in Israel, reported the Times of Israel. 

But the agreement has been on the brink of collapse ever since it was signed, with both sides reportedly committing infringements of its terms.

The US President said earlier this week that while the decision ultimately rests on Israel's shoulders, if all of the hostages aren't returned by Saturday noon 'I would say cancel [the ceasefire] ... all bets are off and let hell break out'

The US President said earlier this week that while the decision ultimately rests on Israel’s shoulders, if all of the hostages aren’t returned by Saturday noon ‘I would say cancel [the ceasefire] … all bets are off and let hell break out’

Qatari, Egyptian and US mediators are working hard to ensure both sides remain faithful to the agreement.

Israel has taken issue with the way in which the hostage releases have been orchestrated, with several captives forced to make public displays of gratitude to Hamas fighters before being handed over to the Red Cross.

Conversely, Hamas has accused Israel of restricting the flow of aid into Gaza even after the ceasefire was agreed.

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