US President Joe Biden has called for the immediate release of American journalist Austin Tice, who disappeared in Syria in 2012. The US believes Tice is being held by the Syrian government. Biden’s call comes as the 12th anniversary of Tice’s disappearance approaches, and follows a bipartisan push from US senators to secure his release.
Colombian soldiers held hostage by rural residents in southern Colombia were released after 72 hours. The incident is suspected to be linked to the FARC dissident group, jeopardizing the ongoing peace negotiations.
The parents of an Israeli-German girl who was killed during the Gaza war in October 2022 have finally identified and returned her body after seven months. Shani Louk’s remains were recovered in Rafah by Israeli soldiers on Friday along with the bodies of two other war hostages.
Rachel Goldberg-Polin, the mother of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an Israeli-American man held hostage by Hamas in Gaza for close to 220 days, shared an emotional Mother’s Day message for her son. In a video posted online, Rachel read a letter she had written to Hersh on the eve of his third birthday, expressing her love, longing, and hopes for his future. The video highlights the pain and determination of a mother whose son has been held captive for an extended period.
After a distressing video of American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin was released by Hamas, his parents, Rachel Goldberg and Jon Polin, have spoken out. The video, shared on Hamas’ Telegram channel, shows Goldberg-Polin identifying himself and pleading for help. The family has released a statement expressing relief at seeing their son alive but concern for his health and well-being. They have urged negotiators from Qatar, Egypt, the United States, Hamas, and Israel to secure a deal for his release. The video’s authenticity and date are still being verified, but the White House has confirmed receiving and examining it.
Hamas has released a propaganda video featuring American-Israeli hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who has been held captive for nearly 200 days. In the scripted video, Goldberg-Polin criticizes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government and pleads for his release. He also mentions the recent ceasefire and expresses his love for his family. The video marks the 200th day since Hamas’ attack on Israel, during which Goldberg-Polin was taken hostage. Despite being held underground without adequate access to water, food, or medical care, Goldberg-Polin remains defiant and calls for international action to secure his release.
Captive for seven months, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an American-Israeli dual citizen, appeared in a video released by Hamas on Wednesday. The heavily edited clip showed the 23-year-old missing his left hand and part of his arm, injuries sustained during the Nova music festival attack on October 7th. Goldberg-Polin urged Israeli officials to secure his release and addressed his family directly. His parents, seeing their son alive for the first time since his capture, expressed relief but voiced concerns over his well-being.
President Joe Biden met on Wednesday with Abigail Edan, the 4-year-old American girl who was held hostage in Gaza for several weeks at the start of the war. The meeting was a reminder of the ongoing work to secure the release of dozens of people still believed to be held captive in Gaza by Hamas. Israel claims that Hamas is holding around 100 hostages and the remains of more than 30 others. The meeting was bittersweet for Biden, as Abigail’s parents were killed in the October 7 attack that led to her captivity. Despite the trauma she endured, Abigail was able to be returned safely to her family. The meeting came the same day that Hamas released a video of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an Israeli American who remains in their custody. Goldberg-Polin was seen in the video with part of his left arm missing. U.S. law enforcement officials are assessing the video.
Hamas has released a propaganda/proof-of-life video of Austin Tice, an American journalist taken hostage in Syria. In the video, Tice criticizes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government. He also appeals directly to his family.
Hamas has released a video purporting to show 23-year-old Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an Israeli-American hostage held captive in Gaza since October 7, 2022. In the video, Goldberg-Polin is seen gravely wounded, missing a hand, and describes the hostages’ living conditions as “hell”. He implores Israeli officials to prioritize the hostages’ release and expresses concern for their deteriorating health conditions. Hamas’s Telegram account posted the footage, highlighting Goldberg-Polin’s criticism of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s crisis management and the military’s failed attempts to secure the captives’ release. The video has garnered attention as Goldberg-Polin’s family and the Hostages and Missing Families Forum campaign group advocate for his safe return.
