Hamas released a video on Wednesday showing Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an Israeli-American hostage. This is the first evidence that he survived after being severely injured during his capture on October 7.
Hersh Goldberg-Polin, then 23, was taken captive from the Nova music festival during Hamas’ assaults on Israel. Which claimed over 1,200 lives and led to the abduction of more than 200 people.
In an undated video, Hersh Goldberg-Polin is seen with a portion of his left arm missing, severing several inches above the hand. This footage surfaces following his abduction from the Nova music festival during Hamas’ assaults on Israel. The attacks claimed the lives of over 1,200 people and led to the kidnapping of more than 200 individuals.
On October 7, a video captured the moment Hersh Goldberg-Polin taken hostage, showing his arm severely injured. According to a firsthand account from a young woman who was with him in a bunker during the Hamas attack. Goldberg-Polin assisted in throwing grenades out before his arm blown off from the elbow down.
In the most recent video, Goldberg-Polin seen sit in a chair, speaking directly to the camera. Despite his injured arm, he gestures occasionally while identifying himself. Further, providing his date of birth along with his parents’ names.
Goldberg-Polin, held captive in Gaza for six months. It is criticizing the Israeli government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the video. This echoes sentiments expressed by other Israeli hostages in Hamas propaganda videos. Given the circumstances of his captivity, it’s highly likely that Goldberg-Polin is speaking under duress.
In the video, Goldberg-Polin mentions Israeli government ministers enjoying holiday dinners with their families. Likely referring to the Jewish holiday of Passover. Which commenced on Monday night and is traditionally observe with a festive family meal.
Goldberg-Polin concludes his message by urging his family to remain resilient on his behalf, encouraging them to stay strong. He expresses his hope that his words have brought them some comfort during the holiday period.
The Biden administration received the video on Monday, two days prior to its public release by Hamas. Officials have been in contact with Goldberg-Polin’s family since then, as confirmed by a US official.
Hundreds of Israelis gathered outside Netanyahu’s official residence in central Jerusalem after the Hamas video went public. They called on the government to negotiate for the release of hostages. Many demonstrators held posters of Goldberg-Polin, and some set cardboard boxes on fire to symbolize their urgency.
“We are afraid for his life, so we went to protest and call for the government to do whatever is possible to bring him and everybody else back, as soon as possible,” said Nimrod Madrer, one of the marchers. The crowd echoed their sentiments chanting, “Bring them back home.”
At the nearby Great Synagogue, a sizable crowd jeered at the country’s ultranationalist national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, as he left the building following a Passover gathering. Protesters expressed their disapproval by chanting “shame” and banging on Ben-Gvir’s car, prompting police intervention as it drove off.
Goldberg-Polin remains one of the most recognizable captives, with posters bearing his image displayed across Israel. Rachel Goldberg has engaged with world leaders and addressed the United Nations in her efforts to secure her son’s release.
Jon Polin hails from West Rogers Park and Skokie, while Rachel Goldberg’s upbringing traces back to Streeterville on Lake Shore Drive. Her mother still resides downtown near Navy Pier, and Polin’s mother lives in Evanston.
Senator Tammy Duckworth, D-Illinois, informed the Sun-Times that among the 12 U.S. citizens captured by Hamas, five have ties to Illinois, including Goldberg-Polin. Natalie and Judith Raanan, the Evanston-based daughter and mother duo, released by Hamas on October 20th.
I don’t have real-time information beyond January 2022, but as of my last update, Hamas designated as a terrorist organization by several countries. It is including the United States, Israel, and the European Union.
Survivors and footage from the Hamas GoPro camera, share with the family, revealed that Goldberg-Polin half of his left arm blown off before taken to Gaza.
His last text messages to his parents after the attack began and before he captured were: “I love you” and “I’m sorry.”
Rachel Goldberg-Polin expressed her belief that Netanyahu’s government should make concessions to halt the suffering in both Israel and Gaza. She sees her son’s and other hostages’ suffering, along with the deaths of Palestinians in Gaza, as innocent people paying the price on both sides.
“I’m happy that I’m upset when I see that the other side is also in pain, that I’m not celebrating their pain because that would mean that I’m not human anymore,” she said.
She added that she hoped there is a mother like her in Gaza who may be trying to help her son.
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