A former Hamas hostage who endured over 480 days of captivity described severe starvation, dehydration, and abuse by his captors, urging immediate action to secure the release of the remaining 50 hostages in Gaza. Families of the detained urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio to push for a comprehensive deal as ceasefire talks collapse.
Kenneth Siegel, an American-Israeli who was released in February during a fragile ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, told “Special Report” that he and other hostages suffered “all sorts of abuse.” He recounted experiencing severe violence, being kicked and spat on, and being threatened with death, with guns pointed at him.
According to Fox News, 20 of the 50 remaining hostages are believed to be alive. Siegel, along with Anat Angrest and Lishay Lavi-Miran, family members of hostages still held by Hamas, met with Secretary of State Marco Rubio last week in Washington, D.C., to push for a comprehensive deal to secure the release of all remaining hostages as ceasefire talks stall.
Angrest, whose son Matan was pulled from his tank on Oct. 7 while serving in the Israeli Defense Forces, told Fox News chief political anchor Bret Baier that her son was badly injured when he was taken. He spent two months with Siegel in Gaza, who said the Israeli soldier suffered from burns and injuries. Angrest expressed her optimism, believing that President Trump would act to save lives and bring all the 50 back home.
Lavi-Miran, a mother of two, whose husband, Omri, was taken from their home at Kibbutz Nahal Oz, added that he’s the oldest hostage still captive in Gaza. Her children were two and six months old at the time, and Lavi-Miran says they want to know their father. She emphasized the need for the courage like Trump had shown in the past six months and cited Keith’s presence as evidence that it can be achieved.
White House special envoy Steve Witkoff wrote in a post on X in late July that the United States was pulling out of ceasefire talks with Hamas in Doha because the militant group wasn’t negotiating seriously. He stated, “It is a shame that Hamas has acted in this selfish way.” We are resolute in seeking an end to this conflict and a permanent peace in Gaza.
Israel announced it would pause fighting in the enclave to allow more humanitarian aid to enter amid a global outcry over images of emaciated Palestinian children. The World Food Programme warned that nearly a quarter of Gaza’s population is enduring famine-like conditions, and the remaining population is facing emergency levels of hunger.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denied there is starvation in Gaza, blaming Hamas for stealing aid. President Donald Trump acknowledged the reality of “real starvation” in the Strip and vowed to step up humanitarian efforts. French President Emmanuel Macron announced his country will recognize a Palestinian state in September at the U.N. General Assembly, and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated his country will also recognize a Palestinian state unless Israel agrees to a ceasefire in Gaza.