Today at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), B’nai B’rith International facilitated remarks by freed Israeli hostage Aviva Siegel, whose husband Keith remains in captivity by Palestinian terrorists in Gaza, and Ofri Bibas, whose multiple family members have remained captive for over five months. Among them are her brother Yarden, sister-in-law Shiri, and nephews Ariel (four-years-old) and Kfir, who was stolen from his home at eight months old.

Aviva Siegel, a 62-year-old resident of kibbutz Kfar Aza who was liberated in November after more than 50 days in captivity, has spoken publicly of Hamas’ violence against and sexual abuse of civilians kidnapped during the terrorists’ unprecedented atrocities in Israel on Oct. 7.

In addition to Ofri Bibas’s close relatives still held hostage, at least some separated and all incommunicado, Ariel and Kfir’s grandparents, Margit and Yossi, also of kibbutz Nir Oz, were burned alive.

Some 1,200 Israelis and citizens of other nations were slaughtered in the Hamas-led invasion on Oct. 7, with approximately 250 more taken hostage and forced into Gaza. The majority of these individuals, including the elderly, children, and those with grave injuries and chronic medical conditions, remain confined in unimaginable conditions in Gaza, a territory Hamas has ruled and exploited for decades, using it as a base for attacks on Israel.

In her video statement to the UNHRC, Aviva Siegel said “We were taken from our home in Kfar Aza in a brutal way. We were shot at, pushed. Keith was hurt—he got shot and they broke his ribs.”

“During the time in captivity, we had no rights. We received no food, no water and no medical attention. We had no basic human rights. Underground, in the tunnels, we lost our right to speak, to feel and, almost, to breathe. Keith is still there—hurt, starved and without any rights. It’s our duty as humans to get him out of there.”

“He needs his rights back. He needs his family. We need Keith to come back. I beg you to help us: bring Keith home now.”

In her video statement, Ofri Bibas said, “My brother Yarden was abducted, wounded, from his home in Nir Oz, Israel, after trying to protect his family from Hamas terrorists. Still, the terrorists abducted his wife Shiri and two children—four-year-old Ariel and Kfir, an eight-and-a-half month-old baby.”

“They are still held captive—by the same terrorist group that burned alive Ariel and Kfir’s grandparents, Margit and Yossi, and widely murdered, tortured and raped civilians. According to testimonies, they continue to do so to the hostages.”

“Human rights are based on freedom, life and security. What about my family’s rights? Where are the U.N.’s children’s and women’s organizations, and human rights organizations? Why haven’t I heard your cry?”

She concluded, “I plead to the world and Human Rights Council—put an end to our suffering, to the suffering of all the hostages, to the crimes against humanity. Speak out against the existence on our planet of this terror organization. Free the hostages.”

Today’s interventions were facilitated by the B’nai B’rith World Center-Jerusalem and B’nai B’rith’s Office of United Nations Affairs.

B’nai B’rith—which last week held meetings in Geneva with dozens of ambassadors and other diplomats accredited to the UNHRC—stands with the Bibas and Siegel families and will continue to stand with the people of Israel as they seek nothing more than their right to live in peace and security.

Watch freed hostage Aviva Siegel’s video statement here.

Watch Ofri Bibas’ video statement here.