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Edited by: Fern Sidman
In a significant development, at least two American hostages are expected to be released by Hamas as part of the first phase of the recently announced ceasefire deal with Israel. The New York Post reported on Wednesday that Sagui Dekel-Chen, 36, and Keith Siegel, 65, have been included on a list of 33 hostages slated for release, contingent upon the Israeli government’s approval of the agreement on Thursday morning.
Dekel-Chen and Siegel are believed to be among the last three surviving Americans still held captive by Hamas. Edan Alexander, a 20-year-old from New Jersey, is also believed to be alive but is unlikely to be released until the second phase of the ceasefire deal, according to The New York Post.
The hostage crisis began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on Israel, resulting in the abduction of at least 250 individuals and the brutal massacre of approximately 1,200 people. Keith Siegel and his wife, Aviva, were among those taken from Kibbutz Kfar Aza during the incursion. The couple endured 51 harrowing days in captivity before Aviva, suffering from a severe stomach infection, was released in November 2023 during an earlier ceasefire agreement.
Reflecting on her release, Aviva expressed deep concern for the remaining hostages, including her husband. “I just don’t know what kind of Keith that we’re going to get back,” she told Fox News in December. “The conditions that they are in are the worst conditions that any human being could go through. I was there. I touched death. I know what it feels being underneath the ground with no oxygen.”
Sagui Dekel-Chen’s story reflects extraordinary bravery. According to the information provided in The New York Post report, Dekel-Chen was among the first to detect the approaching Hamas terrorists at Kibbutz Nir Oz on the morning of October 7. He raised the alarm to alert his neighbors and secured his wife and children in their home’s safe room before stepping outside to assist the kibbutz security team. Tragically, he was last heard from around 9:30 a.m.
According to The New York Post, Sagui’s father, Connecticut native Jonathan Dekel-Chen, recounted harrowing details of the day his son was abducted. His daughter-in-law, Avital, and their children heard Sagui battling Hamas terrorists in a desperate struggle to protect his family.
“My daughter-in-law and the kids are now traumatized,” Jonathan said, reflecting on the emotional scars left by the incident. “Avital heard her husband struggling in hand-to-hand combat.” Sagui’s heroism, however, came at great personal cost.
The family last saw Sagui in a Hamas propaganda video released in early December, marking his 420th day in captivity, the report said. Despite the painful wait, Jonathan saw the footage as a hopeful sign that his son was still alive. Young men and soldiers, like Sagui, are expected to be released in the second phase of the newly announced ceasefire deal.
The initial phase of the ceasefire deal prioritizes the release of women, children, men over 50, and individuals who are sick or wounded. Dekel-Chen and Siegel fall into these categories, although the exact conditions of their health remain unclear. The New York Post report emphasized the uncertainty and anxiety surrounding their return, with families anxiously awaiting confirmation of their loved ones’ safety.
While the release of these hostages brings hope, the grim reality of the situation remains evident. Four other Americans—Itay Chen, Omer Neutra, and Gadi and Judi Haggai—have been confirmed dead, Israeli officials report.
The agreement, which initiates a 42-day pause in fighting, will include three phases of hostage releases in exchange for the freeing of Hamas prisoners. The New York Post reported that Sagui’s father, Adi Alexander, remains cautiously optimistic about his son’s release. “It’s a long time coming. Enough is enough,” Adi told The Post on Wednesday. “We’ve been so close before, and I’m happy that this time we’ve been able to pass it over the finish line.”
The toll on families awaiting their loved ones’ return has been immense. Of the 97 hostages initially taken captive, only about 60 are believed to be alive, according to The New York Post. Each phase of the ceasefire agreement offers a fragile hope for reunions, yet also draws attention to the uncertainty faced by those awaiting news of their loved ones.
Sagui, who grew up in New Jersey before serving in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), exemplifies the resilience of those directly impacted by the conflict. For his family, the prospect of his release brings relief tempered by the anguish of his prolonged captivity.
