In the nearly seven-month-long Israel-Hamas conflict, Hamas released a video on Wednesday showcasing captive Hersh Goldberg-Polin, a California-born American-Israeli citizen. This marks the first time the 23-year-old has been seen alive since his abduction during the Nova festival attack on October 7th.
Appearing in the heavily edited three-minute video, Goldberg-Polin, missing his left hand and part of his arm, recounted the horrors of the attack, where he and his companions sought refuge in a shelter that came under grenade fire from Hamas assailants.
With a blank wall as his backdrop and seated in a chair, Goldberg-Polin began by stating his name. Addressing the Israeli government, he demanded their immediate intervention for his release and that of other hostages. He then turned to his parents and two younger sisters, Leebie and Orly, expressing his love and longing, acknowledging their ongoing efforts to secure his return.
Goldberg-Polin’s parents, filled with relief, shared a video statement expressing their joy at seeing their son alive but also conveying concerns about his health. They made a heartfelt appeal to all parties involved in negotiations, including Qatar, Egypt, the United States, Hamas, and Israel, urging them to seize the opportunity and secure a deal that would reunite families and bring an end to the suffering in the region.
This release of a hostage video is not an isolated incident; Hamas has employed this tactic previously. However, both Israel and human rights organizations denounce such actions as ‘psychological warfare,’ as hostages often make statements under duress. With over 133 hostages still held captive by Hamas, families and advocates stress the urgency of resolving this humanitarian crisis.
In the video, Goldberg-Polin recalled his intention to attend the Nova festival near Kibbutz Re’im on October 7th, seeking entertainment with friends. However, the event turned into a struggle for survival as he sustained severe injuries. Despite his condition, he took it upon himself to protect himself and others around him, as there was no one else to provide safety that fateful day.
Goldberg-Polin’s family emigrated from Richmond, Virginia, to Israel when he was eight. The last time his mother, Rachel Goldberg, saw him was on the evening of October 6th, when he left a family dinner to meet a close friend. The following morning, she received two text messages from him, the first expressing love and the second expressing apology.
During the attack, Goldberg-Polin and his friends sought shelter in a bomb shelter, which was later targeted by Hamas grenades. The attack resulted in the amputation of his left arm from the elbow down. A graphic video later shared with his parents by Anderson Cooper showed him covered in blood, being lifted onto the back of a pickup truck by Hamas members.
In the Hamas-released video, Goldberg-Polin blamed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli officials for neglecting him and other hostages, holding them captive for 200 days. Pointing directly at the camera, he expressed his disgust, stating that they should be ashamed for abandoning their citizens. He emphasized the stark contrast between the officials’ comfortable lives and the deplorable conditions he and other detainees endure, lacking basic necessities like water, food, sunlight, and proper medical care.
Goldberg-Polin’s mother, Rachel, has relentlessly campaigned for her son’s release since his capture. She has met with President Biden and the Pope and addressed the United Nations in New York City and Geneva. Earlier this month, Time magazine recognized her advocacy efforts by including her in their list of the 100 most influential people of 2024. Goldberg’s tireless advocacy highlights the plight of families affected by the conflict, who often find themselves caught between supporting innocent civilians in Gaza and hostages held captive by Hamas.
