Americans celebrate release of North Carolina native held hostage in Gaza

Israelis at “Hostage Square” in Tel Aviv, Feb. 1, 2025. Photo by Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90.

(JNS) — Trump administration officials and members of Congress issued statements on Feb. 1 lauding the release of Keith Siegel, an American citizen who was one of three Israelis freed from captivity in Gaza earlier in the day. Members of the administration and some of the U.S. lawmakers praised U.S. President Donald Trump for securing the release of the hostages.

“Today, Americans celebrate the return of American-Israeli citizen Keith Siegel and two Israelis who were held captive by Hamas terrorists since Oct. 7, 2023,” stated Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary. “President Trump and his administration have worked diligently to secure their release and are committed to freeing all remaining hostages.”

The Israeli consulate in Atlanta, which has North Carolina as part of its territory, has been amplifying a “Speak for Keith” campaign in the region. Siegel is a native of Chapel Hill.

Emily Damari, who was one of the first hostages released under the current agreement, had asked her captors to let Siegel go instead of her, but the request was denied. Damari’s wounded hand became an instant symbol of hostage strength when she was released and waved her bandaged hand that is now missing two fingers.

Damari and Siegel are both from Kfar Aza, where they were abducted on Oct. 7. Damari is the same age as one of Siegel’s children.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that “today, we celebrate the release of three hostages from Hamas captivity in Gaza, including American Keith Siegel.

“We are grateful that he will be with his wife Aviva again, more than 480 days after they were taken from their home in Israel. President Trump has made the safety and security of Americans around the world the top priority of his administration,” Rubio said. “The United States will continue to work with Israel to reunite all remaining hostages with their families and to secure peace in the region.”

North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein, a Democrat, stated that “Anna and I are rejoicing that at long last, Keith Siegel is free from Hamas and reunited with his family.

“Let us celebrate for the families who are finally reunited and continue working towards the freeing of all American hostages and a lasting peace for the region,” added Stein, the state’s first Jewish governor. “There has been too much suffering.”

“Hamas terrorists held Keith Siegel hostage for 484 days. Thanks to President Trump’s strong leadership, an American is returning home,” stated Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.).

“After more than a year in the brutal captivity of Hamas, North Carolina native Keith Siegel is finally free and will soon be reunited with his family on American soil,” stated Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.). “I am grateful to President Trump and his administration for their steadfast devotion to bringing Keith and other Americans back home.”

Rep. Brad Schneider (D-Ill.) stated that “three of the 82 remaining hostages returned home to Israel after 484 days in captivity: Ofer Calderon, Yarden Bibas and Keith Siegel—the first of the seven Americans still held in Gaza.”

“I’m elated for Keith’s wife Aviva, who was also held hostage in Gaza for more than 50 days, and other members of his family, as they have worked tirelessly to bring him home,” the Jewish congressman added. “We continue to pray that Yarden Bibas’s family—wife Shiri and sons Ariel (5) and Kfir (2)—are still alive and soon home where they belong. We will not rest until every one of the remaining 79 hostages are home.”

Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) wrote that the freed hostages had endured “484 days of unimaginable suffering in captivity.”

“We won’t rest until we bring all the hostages, including all of the Americans and my constituent, Edan Alexander, home,” the Jewish congressman added.

“The nightmare is over, and Keith Siegel is reunited with his family,” wrote Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa). “President Trump’s peace through strength is delivering for Americans. Now, we must bring all our citizens home.”

“The nightmare is over and Keith Siegel is free,” stated Sen. Ted Budd (R-N.C.). “We thank God that the prayer of millions has been answered.”

Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) stated that she is “thankful that Keith, the first American to be freed in the hostage deal, is reunited with his wife, Aviva.”

“I got to know Aviva during this crisis, spent time with her in Israel, Florida and Washington and am thrilled her fervent wish to be reunited with her beloved Keith has been realized,” the Jewish congresswoman added.

Rep. Joe Wilson stated that he is grateful to see Siegel and the other hostages released, adding that “America continues to stand with Israel to ensure that all hostages are released.”

“I’m relieved that after 15 months in Hamas captivity, American Keith Siegel is coming home. Keith will reunite with his wife Aviva, who was also taken hostage on Oct. 7,” wrote Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.), who is Jewish. “Aviva has been an incredible advocate for all the hostages and I’m so happy they’ll finally be together again.”

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) stated that he “had the honor of meeting” Aviva and her and Keith’s family. “Aviva never rested for a moment in bravely advocating for Keith’s return,” the Jewish senator stated. “I cannot wait to see Keith home at last. I won’t stop working until all the hostages are home.”

Roy Cooper, a Democrat and North Carolina’s former governor, stated that “our prayers have been answered” and that Siegel “is finally home after 15 months being held hostage by Hamas. As we celebrate his release, we need the same for the remaining hostages and a continuing ceasefire to put an end to this war.”

The day before, Leavitt told reporters at a White House press conference that she had news “on the hostage front, which I’m very surprised nobody asked about this, because it is a big news story.”