On Wednesday, the Hamas terror group disseminated a propaganda video revealing evidence of Israeli-American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin’s survival, igniting vehement anti-government demonstrations near Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s residence. The video, approximately three minutes in length, depicts Goldberg-Polin, who seems to have lost a hand, vehemently demanding that the Israeli government secure the hostages’ release from Gaza or resign, echoing sentiments recently expressed by some of the abductees’ relatives.
The video’s timeframe is uncertain, but Goldberg-Polin claims to have been in captivity for “nearly 200 days” and repeatedly mentions a “festival,” suggesting it was likely recorded recently, ahead of the week-long Passover holiday, which commenced on Monday evening. Reports from American media indicate that U.S. authorities received the video on Monday.
Goldberg-Polin was abducted during the morning hours of October 7th from a rave party near Re’im. This incident coincided with the invasion of Israel by thousands of Hamas-led militants, resulting in the deaths of roughly 1,200 individuals and the abduction of 253 hostages into the Gaza Strip. It is estimated that 129 of these hostages remain captive in Gaza, with their well-being uncertain, following the release of 105 civilians during a weeklong truce in late November and the prior release of four hostages. Military operations have successfully rescued three hostages and retrieved the remains of 12, including three who were mistakenly killed by the military.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have confirmed the deaths of 34 hostages still held by Hamas, citing new intelligence and findings obtained during operations in Gaza. Videos captured during the Hamas offensive show that Goldberg-Polin’s arm was partially blown off during a grenade attack by Hamas militants on a shelter where he and others sought refuge.
Hamas has a history of releasing similar videos of hostages, a tactic condemned by Israel as deplorable psychological warfare. While most Israeli media outlets, including The Times of Israel, refrain from broadcasting these videos, Goldberg-Polin’s family granted permission for media use of the footage on Wednesday.
The video, disseminated via Hamas’s official Telegram account, shows Goldberg-Polin, possibly under duress, criticizing Netanyahu’s management of the crisis and the military’s inability to secure the hostages’ release. In an apparent allusion to Passover, Goldberg-Polin implores government officials, “while you sit and have holiday meals with your families, [to] think of us, the hostages, who are still here in hell,” and “bring us home now.” He describes the hostages’ ordeal as “living under the ground without water, without food, without sun, without the medical care that I have needed so much for a long, long time.”
Addressing his family, Goldberg-Polin expresses confidence in their efforts to expedite his return. “I know you are doing everything for me to return home as soon as possible,” he says. “I need you to stay strong for me and not stop fighting until I and each and every one of the hostages return home safely.”
Goldberg-Polin’s parents, Rachel Goldberg and Jon Polin, have tirelessly advocated for their son’s release. In a statement, they expressed their relief at seeing him alive but voiced concern for his well-being and that of the other hostages. They implored all parties involved in the hostage negotiations, including Qatar, Egypt, the United States, Hamas, and Israel, to “be brave, lean in, seize this moment and get a deal done to reunite all of us with our loved ones and end the suffering in this region.”
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that “Hersh’s cry is the collective cry of all the hostages – their time is rapidly running out.” They demanded that the hostages be prioritized and brought home, whether for rehabilitation or dignified burial.
Shortly after the video’s release, hundreds of protesters converged on Jerusalem’s Azza Street, demonstrating near Netanyahu’s residence. They carried images of Goldberg-Polin and other hostages, demanding government action to secure their release. The protesters used drums and chanted slogans such as “It’s time to bring them home,” while igniting a bonfire in the street. One protest sign proclaimed: “Hersh is alive now!”
Protesters later marched towards Paris Square, removing police barricades and blocking a major intersection. Police arrested two individuals for disorderly conduct, overturning garbage cans and impeding traffic. Authorities deployed a water cannon to manage the situation.
In Tel Aviv, protesters and hostage families gathered on Begin Street outside the Defense Ministry headquarters, holding signs that denounced the government’s inaction. An official familiar with the matter disclosed that Israeli intelligence had assessed Goldberg-Polin’s continued survival prior to the video’s release. The official reported that Goldberg-Polin had undergone surgery after his abduction into Gaza.
At the onset of the attack, Goldberg-Polin sought refuge in a field shelter with approximately two dozen other attendees. As militants launched grenades into the shelter, Goldberg-Polin’s companion, Aner Shapira, courageously threw seven grenades back outside, saving the lives of those within before being killed by the eighth grenade. Goldberg-Polin also attempted to dispose of a grenade, but it exploded prematurely, severing half of his arm.
U.S. and Israeli authorities continue to analyze the propaganda video, with preliminary indications corroborating the accuracy of the intelligence assessment. The American news organization CBS reported that the White House received the video on Monday, and the FBI and the Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell are currently examining it. Agence France-Presse (AFP) contributed to this report.
