Two years ago, Hamas terrorists launched an attack, killing families in a small kibbutz and targeting young attendees at an outdoor music festival. These assaults resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 Israelis and the abduction of 251 individuals.
Fox’s Trey Yingst reported from Beeri days after the incident, describing his observations:
Yingst recounted witnessing blood-stained kitchen floors, observing that residents were at home when Hamas militants attacked early on a Saturday morning. He reported that soldiers at the site described finding bodies indicating execution, with some victims having their hands tied behind their backs, mothers clutching their small children, and others decapitated, conveying the immense horror in the small community.
Forty-eight hostages currently remain in Gaza, with twenty believed to still be alive. One survivor was held for 51 days, while her husband endured captivity for over 400 days.
On the second anniversary of the Oct. 7 attacks, Siegel described their abduction, stating that attackers shot at them, with one bullet striking Keith, while she narrowly avoided injury. She explained they were then forced underground where they struggled for air, leading her to believe her life was ending.
She recalled their arrival in Gaza, where she witnessed Palestinian families cheering and taunting the injured captives. Siegel further elaborated on the second anniversary of the attacks and the beginning of her captivity, stating that people were expecting them and they were immediately taken underground. She emphasized that she would forever remember the image of a terrorist instructing her to descend a narrow ladder into the underground area, and his smile.
One captive was subjected to solitary confinement for a period of six months.
Aviva detailed her experience, mentioning she was moved 13 times within 51 days of captivity, while Keith remained captive for 484 days. She described how they were subjected to torture and starvation, noting that captors would eat in front of them. Aviva stated she lost 10 kilograms, and Keith returned appearing skeletal due to severe weight loss. She also mentioned being too ill to walk upon her return.
In the aftermath, the Israeli military has killed tens of thousands of Gazans and now exercises control over 80% of the Gaza Strip. Despite Israel’s claim of not targeting civilians, over 90% of Gaza has been destroyed.
Siegel testified to witnessing Hamas terrorists touching and assaulting girls, and beating one girl who was with them, threatening her life for perceived dishonesty. She conveyed that her inability to assist them, and particularly Keith during his torture, felt worse than her own suffering. Siegel detailed her own torture, which included being pulled by her hair, pushed, starved, mocked, and threatened.