Surviving Captivity: Aviva & Keith Siegel’s Story

What does it take to uncover and dismantle underground terror tunnels?In this episode of 'IDF: Mission Brief', Captain B., a company commander in the IDF’s Special Operations Engineering Unit, shares his firsthand experiences operating in Gaza and Lebanon.From dismantling Hezbollah’s extensive tunnel network in southern Lebanon to taking part in hostage recovery missions in Gaza, he discusses the challenges of operating underground, leading soldiers across multiple fronts, and the critical role his unit plays in these missions.

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Day, the commander of the IDF’s Combat Stress Reaction Unit discusses the psychological challenges soldiers may face after combat, the treatment and support available to them and the unit’s role the hostage return operations throughout the war.

Three years ago, on October 7, Aviva and Keith Siegel were kidnapped from their home in Kfar Aza by Hamas terrorists and taken into Gaza.In this episode of 'IDF: Mission Brief', Aviva and Keith share their story and firsthand testimonies, from the moment they were kidnapped, through their separation in captivity, to finally returning home.They speak about the conditions they endured, the darkest moments when they feared they would not survive, and the thoughts, memories, and hope that kept them going through captivity.

As this month marks 3 years since the war began, Staff Sergeant A. from the Maglan Unit and Staff Sergeant B. from the Paratroopers Reconnaissance Unit reflect on their experiences serving across 3 different fronts: Gaza, Lebanon and Judea and Samaria.They share how their experiences differed from one front to another, the differences between facing Hamas and Hezbollah and what they encountered on the ground, from weapons hidden in children’s bedrooms, to the realities of operating across different battlefields.

In this episode of IDF Mission Brief, International Spokesperson LTC Ariella Mazor speaks with LTC B., an intelligence officer in the IDF’s National Search and Rescue Unit, about the humanitarian delegation sent to Colombia following the devastating August 2026 earthquake.From locating missing people and assessing damaged structures to supporting local rescue teams, LTC B. shares how the delegation helped communities on the ground and some of the stories that stayed with him from the mission.

In this episode of IDF Mission Brief, we join Lieutenant O, the first female chief engineer on a Sa’ar 6-class corvette, for an inside look at life aboard one of the Israeli Navy’s most advanced warships.She shares her experience serving at sea during Operation Roaring Lion and the critical role of the Sa’ar 6 in supporting forces across land and air. She also discusses life at sea and breaking barriers as a female officer in the Israeli Navy.

In this episode of 'IDF: Mission Brief,' Sergeant L speaks with Corporal S and Captain A, two commanders at the Michve Alon base, where new immigrant soldiers and others strengthen their Hebrew skills as they begin their IDF service.They discuss the role Michve Alon plays in helping soldiers integrate into the IDF, what their day-to-day work as commanders looks like, and their advice for future soldiers arriving at the base.

In this episode of IDF Mission Brief, Major N. takes us behind the scenes of the IDF’s Cooperation Unit, sharing how air and ground forces work together in complex operations. As a pilot, head of the unit's training department, and aerial commander responsible for medical evacuations, Major N. brings a unique perspective from both the cockpit and the operational center. From medical evacuations to hostage rescue missions, he gives insight into the planning, training, and responsibility behind these evacuation missions.

Major A. joins LTC Ariella Mazor, the International Spokesperson of the IDF, on this episode of “IDF Mission Brief”. He shares firsthand experiences of his role as a doctor on medical evacuation rescues in the field and memories from the hostage rescue mission, recalling the moments they returned to Israel.When a soldier is injured, every second counts, Major A. provides emergency medical care directly from the air.

In this episode of “IDF: Mission Brief” and in honor of International Humanitarian Day, LTC Dr. M. talks about the IDF’s humanitarian efforts abroad when major disaster strikes, and his experience on those missions.He shares what it means to mobilize field hospitals within hours and reflects on adapting on the ground during catastrophic events like in Equatorial Guinea and Turkey. From coordinating global relief efforts to building trust with locals under extreme pressure, Dr. M. shares it all.