Senator Thom Tillis shares statement on North Carolina native Keith Siegel’s release from Hamas captivity

GREENVILLE, N.C. (WITN) – Senator Thom Tillis released a statement following the release of North Carolina native Keith Siegel from Hamas captivity.

“Today, after more than a year in the brutal captivity of Hamas, North Carolina native Keith Siegel is finally free and reunited with his family, including his beloved wife Aviva,” Tillis said.

Tillis went on to say that while this is a moment of great relief and celebration, “we cannot forget about the remaining hostages.”

He also discussed his confidence in President Donald Trump. “I am confident the Trump Administration will continue to work closely with our ally Israel as it seeks to free every remaining hostage. This fragile ceasefire is completely dependent on the behavior of Hamas and we must remain vigilant.”

Hamas militants freed three male hostages held for more than a year in the Gaza Strip on Saturday and Israel released 183 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails in the fourth such exchange of a ceasefire deal that has halted 15 months of intense fighting.

Militants handed Yarden Bibas and French-Israeli Ofer Kalderon to Red Cross officials in the southern city of Khan Younis, while American-Israeli hostage Keith Siegel, looking pale and thin, was released to the Red Cross later Saturday morning in Gaza City to the north.

All three were abducted during the Hamas-led attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, that sparked the war. Their release brings to 18 the number of hostages released since the ceasefire began on Jan. 19.

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