One of the 251 victims who were abducted on October 7 by Hamas, Aviva Siegel, has been haunted by her time spent in Gaza, where she was imprisoned for days. Although it has been almost 10 months since her release, her feelings are also consumed by the death of her father, Keith Siegel, who remains in prison. 33 victims are reportedly dead, according to an Israeli military report.
In Kibbutz Kfar Aza, Aviva and her father were seized from their residence. In exchange for 240 Palestinians who were imprisoned in Israeli prison, Aviva was freed as part of a ceasefire in November of last year. Despite her transfer, Aviva remains overwhelmed by the thoughts of her suffering. ” I wanted to die so many times”, she admitted, describing the real burden of her prison. ” When I got up, I had lost 10 tons. I had hardly move, eat or drink. I’m not interested in the circumstance Keith is in.
” I’m still in Gaza, I have n’t left yet”, she told reporters. ” I’m with Keith in nature at all times. I ca n’t bear to imagine that he and the other hostages are 40 metres below ground, without air to breathe, without food to eat, without anything nice”, she told AFP.
Stress for a bargain
Aviva has constantly participated in rallies in Tel Aviv since her return, urging that the victims ‘ fate be resolved. ” Keith is still there”, she shared during a recent show. We must “get them out,” they say. It’s very cruel… It’s awful and inexcusable”.
Since the Israeli army found the captives ‘ bodies in a Gaza hole in August, the need for them has grown. Like Aviva, various household members of victims, including Raz Ben Ami, who was also freed in the November peace, continue to force the government for activity. ” I’m sick of burying victims, returned in graves”, Ben Ami said.
