Former Israeli Hostages Share Harrowing Ordeal and Message of Hope from Gaza Captivity

The October 7th Attacks and Captivity

• 🎯 Aviva and Keith Seagull recount their experience of being taken captive at gunpoint from their southern Israeli neighborhood during the October 7th attacks in 2023.
• 💥 Their home was attacked with rockets and gunfire, resulting in the deaths of 62 out of 950 residents in their community.
• 🤕 Keith sustained bullet shrapnel and broken ribs, while Aviva suffered a torn knee during their abduction.
• 🚗 Blindfolded and under threat, they were driven into Gaza and held in a residential home with an entrance to a tunnel.

Conditions in Gaza Tunnels

• 🚇 The tunnels are described as cramped, completely dark, and filthy, filled with a palpable sense of hate towards them.
• 🤢 They endured starvation, physical abuse, and witnessed sexual assaults of other captives.
• 💧 Conditions were dire, with as little as one toilet flush per day for five people, making it difficult to breathe.

Release and Continued Advocacy

• 🕊️ Aviva was released after 51 days, while Keith endured 484 days in captivity, moved over 30 times before his release in early 2025.
• ❤️ Keith emphasizes that sharing his story and helping others is a crucial part of his healing and recovery.
• 🌍 Speaking at the Jewish Federation of Sarasota Manatee, they aim to spread awareness about human rights and suffering, drawing parallels to conditions in Gaza.

Hopes for Peace and Reconciliation

• 🤝 They express hope that current talks between Israel and Hamas will be successful, leading to Hamas disarming within two months to prevent further harm.
• 💔 They acknowledge the terrible nature of war for all sides, stating that what Israel endured was the worst and that innocent people on both sides suffer.
• 🧩 The hostages' survival was attributed to their full submission to their captors, viewing themselves as mere bargaining chips.