Keith Siegel’s Daughter: My Father Was Tortured Physically,Emotionally And Mentally For 484 Days

Shir said that “For 484 days I have stood on every possible dais and dreamed of the day when I could tell the people of Israel: My father is back, they brought him home alive.”

In a tear-filled voice, Shir recounted that her father was held “in the darkest and most terrifying place on earth, under inhumane conditions, by cruel terrorists who tortured him mentally, physically, and emotionally.” She added that Keith “barely saw daylight, was starved for prolonged periods, and experienced extreme weight loss.” He was kept in isolation, and according to his daughter, “at times, he lost hope that he would ever return home. My father went through 484 days knowing that every moment could be his last one, knowing that he could be executed like tens of other hostages. He went through a hell that nobody can understand, that nobody should go through. He is still brokenhearted by what happened to our community on Oct. 7th.”

“I always knew my father was strong, but I never realized how strong, how he managed with such courage to look evil in the eye and not surrender. My father didn’t just survive captivity; he overcame it by acting with determination and faith.  During his time in captivity, he said he drew strength from seeing the people of Israel and IDF soldiers fighting for his return. At the same time, he was heartbroken witnessing the violence, division, and incitement among us. One of the first questions he asked upon reuniting with us was, ‘What can I do to help bring everyone home?’—with tear-filled eyes and a choked voice.”

Shir shared that today, at his request, Keith was informed of what had happened in Kfar Aza. “My father asked us to tell him what happened in Kfar Aza. At his request, we went through a cruel list of 64 dear and beloved people, and he was in disbelief when he heard that many of his friends and neighbors had been murdered. Members of our community who will never return. My father has returned to life and is pleading that we do not miss a single opportunity to save the living hostages and give those who perished a proper burial. Throughout this period, I feared a thousand times that this moment would never come. At times, I imagined the worst and lost hope.”

שיר סיגל, בתו של קית’: “אבא שלי בקושי ראה אור יום, הוא הורעב לתקופות ממושכות וירד באופן קיצוני במשקל. הוא מספר ששהה בתנאי בידוד קשים. אבא שלי התגבר על השבי תוך שהוא פועל בנחישות ובאמונה. הוא ביקש שנספר לו מה קרה בכפר עזה ב-7 באוקטובר, הוא לא האמין כששמע שכל כך הרבה מחבריו נרצחו” pic.twitter.com/Yx232DIAV7

— כאן חדשות (@kann_news) February 3, 2025

Sigal expressed her gratitude to the families who lost their loved ones in the war in Gaza, adding: “I am sorry that bereavement knocked on your doors so that we could have life. I am sorry, civilians, soldiers, and security personnel, that you sacrificed your lives and souls for us, for the State of Israel, and for the security of every citizen of this land. I am deeply sorry and profoundly grateful. We will probably never be able to apologize or thank you as much as we truly feel. Know that you are in our hearts forever.”

She also apologized to the hostages who were alive but were murdered in Hamas captivity: “I love each and every one of you as if you were my family. Our dream was to see you home with us. This should never have happened. You should have been home long ago. I am sorry, on behalf of the entire people of Israel, that we did not do everything to bring you back alive. You are the proof that ‘there is no time’ is not just a slogan. We must bring everyone home now.”