ABC11 has learned from Ted Budd's office that the wife of North Carolina native Keith Siegel was among the hostages that were freed.
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Adrienne "Aviva" Siegel and Keith were taken hostage at the start of the war on Oct. 7. Keith is still being held hostage, Budd's office said.
Budd released this statement about Siegel's release: "We are pleased that some hostages have been released and are now home with their loved ones. We remain steadfast in our commitment to secure that freedom for North Carolina native Keith Siegel, Omer Neutra, and all hostages illegally held by Hamas terrorists. While we are encouraged by the government of Qatar's efforts to mediate the release of some of the hostages, we renew our call to their government to exert pressure on Hamas leadership to release each and every hostage immediately and unconditionally."
Keith Siegel moved to Israel decades ago and has ties to Chapel Hill and Durham.
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In late October, Budd spoke on the Senate floor about the escalating war and innocent people being taken hostage, including several from North Carolina. He didn't release their names at that time.
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"One aspect of the Oct. 7 attack that continues to this day is the plight of the more than 200 innocent people held hostage in Gaza including several Americans," Budd said. "That includes some from my home state of North Carolina."
Two weeks ago, ABC11 spoke with Rabbi Daniel Greyber from Beth El Synagogue in Durham after his six-day visit to Israel. Rabbi Greyber said he visited Kfar Aza kibbutz where the Seigels were living when they were taken hostage. Watch full story here.
The hostages released Sunday ranged in age from 4 to 84 and included Abigail Edan, a 4-year-old girl whose parents were killed in the Hamas attack that started the war on Oct. 7. In all, nine children ages 17 and younger were on the list, according to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office.
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