The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee convened a roundtable today (Thursday) led by Senator Dave McCormick and Senator Jacky Rosen, attended by former hostages and family members of those still held in captivity.
The meeting, aimed at keeping the plight of Israeli hostages in Gaza on the agenda, included harrowing testimony from former hostages and emphasized the urgent need to secure the release of the 59 remaining captives. Among those who shared their stories were Keith and Aviva Siegel, Iair Horn, and Eli David, all of whom called on the U.S. government and President Trump to help bring the hostages home.
“The world needs to know what we endured”
Keith Siegel told the gathering: “I’m sharing my story because the world must understand what we hostages went through. The hostages in Gaza deserve the same opportunity I had—to heal, reconnect, and live. I ask President Trump to continue negotiations and get a deal done—before it’s too late.”
Aviva Siegel, Keith’s wife, added: “I was terrified seeing Keith in that condition, not knowing if I’d ever see my family again. My fear was whether I would live. I don’t want anyone to ever experience that—not us, not anyone.”
“I feel the weight of freedom”
Iair Horn shared that he still feels tied to Gaza until his brother, Eitan, is returned: “I feel the weight of freedom, but I can’t truly be free until my brother is back. Part of me is still there with him.” Horn emphasized, “I’m here thanks to President Trump” and urged him to “keep working to bring Eitan and all the hostages home.”
Liran Berman, brother of hostages Gali and Ziv Berman, said, “We can’t begin to heal as a people until everyone is back. The hostages are not numbers—they are people with lives and futures.”
“Together, we believe we can bring them home”
Eli David, brother of Evyatar David, described the painful Hamas video showing Evyatar and Guy: “We saw the despair and pain in their eyes. This isn’t about politics—it’s about life. With Passover approaching, we believe that together, we can bring them home.”
Orna and Ronen Neutra, parents of Omer Neutra, spoke of the urgency of time: “Omer was a symbol for all the hostages. Time is running out even to recover the murdered. Each day that passes makes it harder to locate remains and denies families the dignity they deserve.”
