Amidst discussions surrounding Israel's latest cease-fire proposal, there is a resurgence of hope for the release of hostages still held by Hamas. The niece of a U.S.-Israeli captive expressed optimism about the possibility of reaching a deal, but also voiced concerns that finalizing a peace agreement may not align with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's political agenda.
Confirming reports, President Biden engaged in a conversation with Netanyahu on Sunday, as per the White House's confirmation to CBS News.
- Read the full transcript of Hanna Siegel's interview on "Face the Nation," dated April 28, 2024
"I do believe that a deal can be achieved. We have seen it happen before. In November, a deal was struck, showing that it is indeed possible," mentioned Hanna Siegel during her appearance on "Face the Nation" on Sunday. She emphasized the crucial role played by the United States in the negotiation process, especially as demonstrated during the previous cease-fire. However, Siegel acknowledged that ultimately, the negotiation process lies between Hamas and Prime Minister Netanyahu in Israel.
"One of the major concerns for my family, and myself included, is the potential lack of political incentive for Prime Minister Netanyahu to finalize a deal," Siegel expressed.
Her uncle, Keith Siegel, was among those taken hostage by Hamas when the group's militant wing attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7. Israeli authorities have said 250 people were captured and subsequently hidden away in the Gaza Strip. Netanyahu declared war on Hamas, pausing only for a temporary weeklong cease-fire brokered in November, during which more than 100 hostages — primarily women and children — were freed alongside about 240 Palestinians previously detained in Israeli prisons.
Netanyahu has said that freeing the remaining hostages is one of his three main objectives in Gaza. He reiterated those points on "Face the Nation" in February, with the other two being to "destroy Hamas" and to "ensure that Gaza does not pose a threat to Israel in the future."
"Unless we have total victory, we can't have peace," Netanyahu said at the time. As the war has drawn on, some of the hostages' family members have accused Israeli leaders, including the prime minister and his unprecedented far-right cabinet, of forgoing a deal that could save them for political reasons.
"There is a lot swirling in the political landscape in Israel," Siegel said Sunday. "We're at 205 days. There have been deals on the table. And they've proven elusive. And I worry that that is because of Prime Minister Netanyahu.
"So, I think that now is the moment. I have faith that we can do a deal now. But I also think that if that isn't possible, then the Biden administration should think about what they can do directly to bring our American citizens home."
Keith Siegel's wife, Aviva Siegel, was one of the hostages that Hamas freed during that cease-fire. There had been no word about him for months, his family said, until he appeared in undated video footage released Saturday by Hamas on the group's social media channel, which is often used to publish propaganda. Siegel was seen in the video with another hostage, identified as Omri Miran by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, several days after similar footage emerged of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, another Israeli-American being held hostage. Siegel, who is 64, holds American and Israeli citizenship.
As of April 24, there were five people who are American citizens who are unaccounted for and presumed to be held alive s in Gaza, a U.S. official confirmed to CBS News. The remains of three other U.S. citizens are believed to be in the possession of Hamas. A U.S. official told CBS News that the Federal Bureau of Investigation was reviewing the latest proof of life video after its release on Saturday.
Hanna Siegel told Brennan on Sunday that the timing of the propaganda videos' release could potentially be a sign that Hamas is open to reaching a deal with Israel.
"You know, for us, this is the moment," she said. "I do think that these two videos are a signal from Hamas that they are ready to make a deal and a reminder that there are American citizens being held, including Keith."
Despite increasing appeals from civilians to prioritize the safe return of the remaining hostages, and assurances from Mr. Biden that his administration is committed to that goal, efforts to secure another cease-fire agreement have collapsed since Israel terminated the temporary truce last autumn. Hamas has been advocating for an extended cessation of hostilities and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza in return for the release of approximately 100 individuals still held captive, as well as the remains of about 30 others. Israel has consistently rebuffed Hamas' demands and declared its intention to persist with the offensive aimed at dismantling the group.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to visit the region on Sunday to explore the possibility of a cease-fire and a hostage resolution. While Hanna Siegel expressed optimism about reaching an agreement soon, she also urged the Biden administration to "contemplate direct actions they can take to bring our American citizens back" should negotiations falter once more.
"I am confident that the Biden administration has displayed unwavering and persistent dedication to my family and all the hostage families," she remarked. "I am aware that their top priority is to repatriate all hostages, including the Americans. Therefore, I believe they are exhausting every possible effort."
