Fmr. hostages Keith and Aviva Siegel thank Trump and Melania for position in hostage deal – One America Information Community

[ad_1] <img decoding="async" width="800" height="534" src="https://www.oann.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/GettyImages-2259906303-800x534.jpg" alt="WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 04: First lady Melania Trump, Keith Siegel (L) and Aviva Siegel (R) hold hands during a meeting in the Blue Room of the White House on February 04, 2026 in Washington, DC. Keith Siegel, a U.S. citizen, was freed from Hamas captivity on February 1, 2025 after spending 484 days in captivity. Aviva Siegel was also held captive and released in November 2023. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)" class="wp-image-759508"/> First woman Melania Trump, Keith Siegel (L) and Aviva Siegel (R) maintain fingers throughout a gathering within the Blue Room of the White Home on February 04, 2026, in Washington, D.C. (Photograph by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Photos)

OAN Workers Katherine Mosack and Sophia Flores 7:36 PM – Wednesday, February 4, 2026

First Woman Melania Trump welcomed freed American-Israeli hostages Aviva Siegel and Keith Siegel to the White Home, the place the couple thanked the primary woman for her compassion and help in serving to safe the discharge of all captives taken by Hamas.

.@FLOTUS Melania Trump engaged in a personal assembly at @WhiteHouse with freed American-Israeli hostage Keith Siegel. The First Woman’s sit-down with Aviva Siegel in January 2025 sparked a sequence of occasions that finally led to Keith’s liberation from Hamas. pic.twitter.com/ZYDJBBA77P

— Workplace of the First Woman (@FirstLadyOffice) February 4, 2026

On Wednesday, Melania sat down with the couple, recalling her first emotional assembly with Aviva, who had been held hostage by the terrorist group for 51 days, at Trump Tower in New York in early January 2024. On the time, Aviva’s husband, Keith, remained in captivity. The second is featured in her new movie, ‘Melania.’

After their January assembly, Melania introduced two books that Aviva had given her about her husband, Keith, to her personal husband, then-president-elect Donald Trump, and defined the couple’s tragic scenario: that they had been captured and held collectively however have been separated when Aviva was launched in November 2023.

Keith was lastly freed on February 1, 2025, after 484 days in captivity, as a part of a U.S.- brokered ceasefire and hostage deal organized by the newly instated Trump administration.

“Aviva was a warrior, she is a warrior. She was combating very laborious for Keith,” the primary woman, earlier than turning to Keith. “And I do know he suffered rather a lot. I’m comfortable to see you wholesome, at house along with your youngsters, along with your grandchildren, with your loved ones.”

First Woman Melania Trump has met on the White Home with Aviva Siegel, who was held hostage by Hamas for 51 days, and her husband, Keith Siegel, who was held hostage by Hamas for 484 days.

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— One America Information (@OANN) February 4, 2026

When invited to talk, Keith started by thanking the president and the primary woman for his or her care and compassion in direction of his spouse.

“I simply wish to point out the extraordinary mobilization within the combat for Aviva and my and the entire hostages’ freedom, and the way it moved me deeply. And it confirmed us the true that means of holding onto hope even in probably the most tough moments.”

“Now that I've regained my freedom, and I celebrated one 12 months of freedom … this Sunday, I've dedicated myself to partnering with IsraAID, an Israeli humanitarian assist group, to assist restore hope for others,” he introduced. “Giving again is a vital a part of my restoration and rehabilitation course of.”

The couple each thanked the primary woman for her efforts and help since her Melania’s first encounter with Aviva greater than a 12 months in the past.

“I wish to specific my deepest gratitude to First Woman Melania Trump. Assembly once more as we speak feels profoundly full circle. … I'm endlessly grateful for Mrs. Trump’s steadfast help over these painful two years,” stated Aviva.

Aviva additionally revealed she is engaged on a e book recounting her expertise with the October seventh assaults and life in captivity, which she is dedicating to her youngsters. She included a particular message for the primary woman: “I’ll at all times bear in mind the assembly with you.”

“I used to be deeply moved to listen to from the First Woman in regards to the conferences she held with my spouse, Aviva, whereas I used to be in captivity, and in regards to the power and help she gave to the households of the hostages all through that tough journey,” Keith stated.