Hamas recently shared a video on its social media platform featuring two hostages, Keith Siegel and Omri Miran, who were abducted during an attack on Israel by the militant group. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum identified the men in the footage, stating that it was the first time they had been seen in 204 days since their captivity began. The authenticity of the video and the exact date it was filmed remain unverified.
In response to the video, a U.S. official mentioned that the FBI is examining the proof of life footage released by Hamas, which includes Siegel, an American citizen, and an Israeli hostage. The White House was not notified in advance of the video's release, and U.S. authorities are in contact with Siegel's family. The video of Siegel marks the second time a U.S. citizen has been featured in a Hamas propaganda video, following the release of Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin's video during Passover.
Interestingly, Keith Siegel's wife, Aviva Siegel, who is not a U.S. citizen, was released by Hamas in November during a temporary cease-fire. This event followed the release of about 100 hostages by the militant group as part of an exchange agreement that also saw the freedom of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. The video of Siegel and Miran serves as a powerful message urging the Israeli government to negotiate a deal for the return of all hostages, emphasizing the need for rehabilitation for the living captives and a dignified burial for those who have been killed.