Freed Israeli Hostage Details Gruesome Conditions in Hamas Tunnels

Aviva Siegel, an Israeli hostage recently freed from Hamas captivity, has described the harrowing conditions she endured in the Gaza tunnels, where she was held alongside other Israeli hostages. In an interview with NBC News, Siegel spoke about the lack of oxygen, starvation, and psychological torment she faced during her time in captivity.

“Keith and I nearly died in the tunnel because there was no oxygen,” she told NBC News host Lester Holt, referring to her American husband, Keith Siegel, who remains in Hamas custody. “I’ve been talking about it over and over and over — hard stories. But I want to just tell everybody we’re not going to stop.”

Siegel described being forced to lie on “filthy dirty mattresses” in cramped tunnels, forbidden from moving or speaking. She also endured periods of starvation, sometimes going without food for “24 hours or even more.”

“I was there in those same conditions,” Siegel said. “And I thought that I’m going to die all the time.”

Siegel, who was released during a temporary ceasefire in November, is determined to continue advocating for the release of the remaining hostages. “I will continue shouting and screaming for the hostages to come home,” she declared.

Alongside Siegel, other relatives of hostages still in Gaza spoke on NBC News, expressing their unwavering hope for their loved ones’ return. They pledged to keep the hostages’ plight in the forefront of public awareness.

The conflict in Gaza has entered its second year, with a second truce proving elusive. The fighting has resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 Israelis, more than 300 Israeli soldiers, and over 40,000 Palestinians, according to conflicting reports from both sides.