In a chilling development amidst the ongoing Gaza war, Hamas released a video message from slain US-Israeli hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin on Thursday. The video, released as the conflict entered its 11th month, features the 23-year-old, whose body was recovered by Israeli troops last weekend, recounting his harrowing experiences in captivity.
Goldberg-Polin, one of the best-known faces among those seized on October 7, 2023, delivers a heart-wrenching message to his loved ones. In the video, he expresses his love and longing for his mother, father, siblings, and friends. He reveals the dire conditions he faced in captivity, stating that he survived with minimal medical care, limited food and water, and was deprived of basic necessities like sunlight and fresh air.
The release of this video is particularly poignant as it marks the first public confirmation that Goldberg-Polin survived his injuries, following his appearance in a Hamas video released in April 2024. The video serves as a grim reminder of the human cost of the ongoing conflict, highlighting the suffering endured by those caught in the crossfire.