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Senator said North Carolina man held hostage in Gaza will be released after a ceasefire deal

PRE News & Ideas | By Annette Weston
Published January 16, 2025 at 10:47 AM EST
Iowa Public Radio
Keith Siegel is expected to be released as part of the first phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal; he's been held for 15-months since the start of the war in Gaza

Senator Thom Tillis said a North Carolina man held hostage in Gaza will be released after a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas was reached yesterday (on Wednesday.)

Chapel Hill native Keith Siegel and his wife Aviva were taken hostage during the Oct. 7, 2023, attack in Israel. Aviva was previously released, while her husband remained held.

Tillis said it has taken a year of intensive diplomacy by the United States, Egypt and Qatar to pause the war sparked by Hamas’ attack on Israel and pave the way for the release of Siegel and dozens of other hostages.
Annette Weston
Annette is originally a Midwest gal, born and raised in Michigan, but with career stops in many surrounding states, the Pacific Northwest, and various parts of the southeast. An award-winning journalist and mother of four, Annette moved to eastern North Carolina in 2019 to be closer to family – in particular, her two young grandchildren. It’s possible that a -27 day with a -68 windchill in Minnesota may have also played a role in that decision. In her spare time, Annette does a lot of kiddo cuddling, reading, and producing the coolest Halloween costumes anyone has ever seen. She has also worked as a diversity and inclusion facilitator serving school districts and large corporations. It’s the people that make this beautiful area special, and she wants to share those stories that touch the hearts of others. If you have a story idea to share, please reach out by email to westona@cravencc.edu.
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