Three years after October 7: Despite pain, two former Hamas hostages promote message of peace
Among the 251 Israelis taken captive by Hamas on October 7, 2023, Aviva and Keith Siegel chose to speak publicly about the abuse they suffered. While Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed the release of hostages as an achievement in his election campaign, the couple in their 60s has continued to oppose the war.
Aviva and Keith Siegel, a couple in their 60s, were among 251 Israelis taken captive by Hamas on October 7, 2023. They have spoken publicly about the abuse they suffered and continue to oppose the war, despite Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claiming their release as an achievement.
Former hostage Emily Damari has also spoken out, releasing a video on October 5, 2026, in which she called out British citizens who denied or ignored the atrocities of the October 7, 2023, massacre by Hamas. According to Damari, the attack was a planned terrorist attack that resulted in innocent people being murdered, raped, injured, and kidnapped.
Damari also thanked those who stood alongside Israel after October 7, including members of the British parliament, and pleaded with the public to continue standing against terrorism and antisemitism. She ended her video with the phrase "Am Yisrael chai". The Jerusalem Post reported that Damari wore a piece of tape with the name of her dog, Choocha, which was killed by Hamas terrorists on the day of her abduction.
Brief written by urgent.news from Le Monde English, Jerusalem Post — 2 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
