Hamas releases video featuring one of hostages captured in Israel
Illustrative photo (photo: Getty Images)
The Palestinian organization Hamas has released a video featuring an Israeli-American hostage named Hersh Goldberg-Polin, which became the first evidence that he survived after suffering serious injuries during his capture by militants in an attack on Israeli civilians on October 7, 2023, reports CNN.
Goldberg-Polin, who was 23 at the time, was abducted at the Nova music festival during the Hamas attack on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 people and the abduction of over 200.
In the video released by Palestinian militants, he is missing part of his left arm.
The footage, filmed on October 7, shows Goldberg-Polin being taken hostage with a severely injured arm. A young woman who was with him in a shelter during the Hamas attack explains that his arm was injured while he was helping to throw grenades.
In the latest video, Goldberg-Polin is seen sitting in a chair. Occasionally gesturing with his injured arm, he introduces himself and gives his date of birth and his parents' names. He says he has been here for almost 200 days.
He criticizes the Israeli government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as other Israeli hostages have done in Hamas propaganda videos.
The FBI Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell is studying the video.
Hostages of Hamas
Out of the 129 hostages still held in Gaza, the Israeli government considers 33 to be dead.
Goldberg-Polin is one of the most recognizable hostages. Banners reading Bring Gersh home are displayed in Jerusalem, and his parents, Rachel and Jonathan, regularly meet with high-ranking US officials in Washington to discuss the release of the hostages.
After the video was released, the Goldberg-Polin family demanded immediate action to release their son and the other hostages still held in Gaza.
Attack on Israel
On October 7, 2023, Hamas militants attacked Israel, killing over a thousand people and capturing hundreds. In response, Israel launched a military operation against the terrorists in Gaza.
Later, the militants released about 120 people in exchange for Israel releasing Palestinian prisoners.
The UN has documented cases of sexual violence against women during the Hamas attack on Israel.
