WASHINGTON (TNND) — Families of hostages still held by Hamas met with lawmakers on Capitol Hill this week, reminding them their loved ones remain in captivity and still need America's help. The families have not heard from the hostages since November 2023, and their anguish continues to grow.

Aviva and her husband Keith Siegel were both taken hostage on October 7th, ripped from their home by Hamas militants. Aviva was released during the brief November 2023 ceasefire, but Keith remains a hostage in Gaza. "When I separated from Keith, not knowing if I'll ever see him again, or were they taking me? I was very clever of what I said, but I told him, you'll be strong for me, and I'll be strong for you," Aviva said.

Aviva and Keith have been married for 43 years. "I didn't want to feel, I didn't want to think it was very difficult. You know, I'm broken up into pieces," she said, reflecting on their wedding anniversary.

Keith Siegel, an American-Israeli originally from North Carolina, is one of seven Americans still held captive. Keith initially chose not to reveal his American nationality to his captors.

He didn't want to give them the knowledge that he's an American, so he didn't tell them," Aviva said. "He wanted to stay there in hell just to look after me. And I’m not there to look after him."

Amit Levy, whose sister Naama is also a hostage, shared his family's distress.

It's very tough for [my parents]. I mean, their little girl is they don't know anything about her. They can't save her life from the monsters that are surrounding her. So it's a nightmare," he said.

Naama was taken on October 7, and her family received confirmation she was alive in November 2023.

"I know we, we've failed her for long, but it will be over soon, and she just has to hold tight, and this nightmare would end very, very soon," Amit said.

Despite the recovery of six hostages' bodies by IDF soldiers in September, families continue to wait for their loved ones' return.

"She was captive for about nine months already, when she was when she had her birthday. We never imagined that it would take so long," Amit said.

As milestones pass, the families' painful wait continues, with no end to the conflict in sight.