A former Israeli-American hostage voiced support for the Trump administration’s demand that Hamas be disarmed and lose its authority in Gaza — as hundreds gathered in Central Park on Sunday, advocating for a cease-fire and a deal for hostage exchanges to put an end to the captives’ suffering.
Keith Siegel, 66, expressed optimism that President Trump’s 20-point peace plan could result in the return of the remaining 48 hostages enduring the brutality of Hamas, stating that residents in Israel post the October 7, 2023, terrorist attack cannot feel secure until this terror organization is dismantled.
“This fanatic terror group must be dismantled,” Siegel shared with The Post following his address to the crowd in New York City. “They cannot pose a threat to anyone in the future.”
Sunday’s rally has been held weekly since the hostages were taken, and it arrives as the conflict nears its second anniversary this Tuesday — amidst ongoing negotiations between Israel and Hamas over Trump’s proposed peace accord.
Both Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that Hamas has shown willingness to accept the broader conditions of the arrangement, with U.S. leaders stating on Sunday that the terror group must comply by relinquishing their weapons and control over Gaza or face dire consequences.
“If we want to prevent another war like this one, we can never allow anything similar to October 7 to happen again,” Rubio told CBS’ “Face the Nation.”
“This is a message the president has continuously communicated to our partners in the region,” he added.
Siegel, having been released in February during a temporary cease-fire, concurred that Hamas cannot remain in Gaza after the immense suffering it has caused.
During his time in Central Park, Siegel recounted the horrific conditions he faced in his 484 days of captivity, kept for long stretches in the cramped, dark tunnels operated by Hamas, often in solitude.
“I saw women being abused, tortured, and beaten, treated in the most inhumane ways,” remarked Siegel. “I fear for the hostages still there, knowing from my own experience what they might endure.”
“We could lose them at any moment,” he added.
The Israeli-American remains hopeful that Trump can successfully broker a deal akin to the February cease-fire that saved his life, looking forward to celebrating the return of his friends and reinstating their destroyed homes from the events of October 7.
Nadav Rudaeff, son of slain hostage Lior Rudaeff, echoed the urgency for the war to cease and for the captives to be safely returned after 730 days in Hamas custody.
Rudaeff recounted the traumatic events that claimed his father’s life while protecting their kibbutz on October 7, describing them as some of the most traumatic experiences of his life growing up near Gaza.
“It was inhumane — the utmost evilness I’ve ever witnessed,” he reflected on the attack that resulted in over 1,200 fatalities.
Still mourning, with his father’s remains in Gaza, he expressed cautious optimism about the potential for a cease-fire but has learned to temper his expectations given the lengthy wait of nearly two years.
<p“Well, over the past few years, we’ve experienced too much disappointment. I’m trying to stay hopeful, but also grounded to avoid further letdowns,” he lamented.
Participants at Sunday’s rally emphasized the importance of maintaining hope for the hostages’ imminent release, including Maryam Kashaniam from the Upper East Side.
Kashaniam, sporting a cap reading “Free our hostages,” articulated the urgent need to end the suffering for the hostages and for the world to reject hatred amidst a surge in antisemitism following the October 7 attack.
“I’m hopeful. I’m thankful to President Trump for the individuals he successfully brought back in January and February,” she remarked. “I believe he’ll facilitate the return of the rest and that peace will finally come to this region.”
Hamas and Israel are set to commence indirect negotiations on Monday to advance the peace deal, with both under pressure from Trump to adhere to the outlined terms.
While Hamas has accepted most of the provision details, the group has shown resistance against disarming and transferring Gaza’s governance to an international authority.
The terror group insists it will not relent unless a Palestinian state is established—a demand not included in the agreement and one that Israel has consistently rejected.
