Brief
Former Oct 7 hostages describe post‑traumatic growth after release
Keith Siegel, Eli Sharabi, Noa Argamani and others explain how trauma became a platform for public work.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Three years after the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack that killed about 1,200 people and seized 251 hostages, several former captives say they have turned their ordeal into a source of purpose, a phenomenon psychologists label “post‑traumatic growth.” The New York Post reports that Keith Siegel, 66, was freed in February 2025 after 484 days, while Eli Sharabi endured 491 days, Noa Argamani 246 days and others spent similar periods in Gaza.
What happened
The attack on Oct. 7, 2023 saw Hamas militants breach Israel’s southern border, killing civilians and abducting hundreds. Hostages were held in underground tunnels and makeshift cells until Israeli forces rescued them in a series of operations spanning 2023‑2025. The Post notes that Siegel, an American‑Israeli, was released in February 2025; Sharabi, Argamani and several others were freed earlier or later, each after months of confinement.
What the reports add
The article details individual post‑release paths: Siegel has become an outspoken advocate, meeting former President Donald Trump and other officials to lobby for remaining hostages. Sharabi authored “Hostage,” a bestseller that became the fastest‑selling book in Israeli history. Argamani, rescued after 246 days, joined Vine Ventures, a venture‑capital firm, to help Israeli startups enter the U.S. market. The piece also mentions other former captives who have entered the arts, humanitarian work and technology, though it does not name them.
What was said
Siegel told the Post, “I did something I had never done before, and I never thought I would ever do, and I never believed I could do it… Something horrible happened to me, and because of that, people will listen to me.” Argamani told Business Insider, as quoted in the Post, “I lost a lot of people. I saw in my own eyes hell… But I choose every day to have another part of my life, to look forward, to go to work, and not let the grief become my identity.”
How it came about
Felo News previously covered the Oct. 7 attack’s human impact, including the story of infant survivor Kai Labban (baby‑survivor‑kibbutz‑nirim). Those earlier pieces highlighted the personal toll of the raid, providing context for the current focus on former hostages who are now shaping public discourse and entrepreneurship.
Key facts
- Keith Siegel spent 484 days in captivity and was released in February 2025. (nypost.com)
- Eli Sharabi spent 491 days in captivity and wrote the bestseller "Hostage". (nypost.com)
- Noa Argamani was held for 246 days and joined venture‑capital firm Vine Ventures. (nypost.com)
- Former hostages are using their experiences to advocate for remaining captives and support Israeli startups. (nypost.com)
Sources
- [1] nypost.com — originally reported as “Exclusive | How some Oct. 7 hostages found their voice and new strength after being freed: ‘Post-traumatic growth’”
