First lady meets with former Oct. 7 hostages

By Sarah Roderick-Fitch
The Center Square

American citizen and Chapel Hill, N.C. native, Keith Siegel and his wife Aviva focused their meeting with First Lady Melania Trump on hope and a mission to give back following their harrowing ordeals, highlighting an unbreakable bond and hopeful spirit.

The Siegels were among more than 250 hostages taken in Gaza by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023. Keith was held captive by the terror organization for 451 days, Aviva 51.

In the Blue Room of the White House, they explained how the first lady had forged a relationship with Aviva prior to Keith’s release. And the role of second-term Republican President Donald Trump in securing the release of Keith shortly after taking office.

Keith, marking a year of freedom on Sunday, told reporters gathered he has committed himself to partnering with Israel and an Israeli humanitarian organization “to help restore hope for others.”

He added that giving back is a vital part of his “recovery and rehabilitation.” He and Aviva recently went to Kenya, where an Israeli humanitarian group is providing clean water, sanitation, hygiene and education to refugees in the African nation.

“The work of Israel has inspired me and given me a new sense of person, of purpose,” Keith said. “What a remarkable and amazing accomplishment, bringing all of the hostages home and we have a mission ahead of us to help others that are struggling, and this is our new mission in life. This is the road we are on. This is our journey.”

Melania Trump credited her meeting with Aviva as being behind his eventual release, eventually leading to the president’s commitment to bring every hostage home dead or alive, within the first year of his presidency.

“That first meeting with Aviva Siegel served as a catalyst to the events leading up to Keith’s freedom,” said the first lady. “It was clear that day in New York City that Aviva Siegel’s human spirit would move mountains to rescue her husband.”

Aviva told the first lady that she left their meeting with hope, knowing the president would hear their personal story.

“When we met, before we came home, you gave me so much hope, and I could feel your heart with me, and I knew how important it was for you to go back home and talk to President Trump and share your feelings,” Aviva told the first lady.

During the first meeting, Aviva presented Trump with a handmade book about her husband and the events of Oct. 7, which she ultimately dedicated to her grandchildren.

Keith Seigel was one of 12 Americans captured on Oct. 7. The last surviving American hostage, Edan Alexander from New Jersey, was released May 12, 2024, after being held captive for 584 days.