Within the footage, which is almost three minutes lengthy, Goldberg-Polin mentions the Jewish vacation of Passover, which started this week. He additionally refers to spending “virtually 200 days” in captivity, which Israelis marked Tuesday.
Goldberg-Polin, 23, was considered one of 253 folks kidnapped by Hamas-led fighters of their brazen assault in October. In a grisly video of the kidnapping, militants are proven forcing Goldberg-Polin into the again of a car on the Nova music pageant, his left hand blown off by what seemed to be a grenade.
At 8:11 a.m. on Oct. 7, he had despatched two messages by way of WhatsApp to his mom. “I like you,” the primary learn. The following one stated: “I’m sorry.”
The brand new video, which was posted on Hamas’s Telegram channel, is closely edited at occasions and reveals Goldberg-Polin with marks on his face. His left hand and a part of his forearm are lacking, and he offers what seems to be a scripted assertion condemning Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Nonetheless, the contemporary footage was met with reduction and urgency from Goldberg-Polin’s household and throughout Israel, as Netanyahu and his authorities face rising strain to succeed in a deal that may free the hostages. Based on Israeli authorities, 133 hostages stay in Gaza, together with 36 who’re confirmed useless.
“Seeing the video of Hersh at present is overwhelming,” his dad and mom, Rachel Goldberg and Jon Polin, stated in an announcement Wednesday. “We’re relieved to see him alive however we’re additionally involved about his well being and wellbeing in addition to that of all the opposite hostages and all of these struggling on this area.”
Goldberg-Polin is considered one of 5 Individuals nonetheless believed to be held hostage in Gaza. The others are Keith Siegel, 64; Sagui Dekel-Chen, 35; Omer Neutra, 22; and Edan Alexander, 20. Siegel and Dekel-Chen had been each kidnapped from the communities the place they lived close to the border. Neutra and Alexander had been serving within the Israel Protection Forces on the day of the assault. The our bodies of three different U.S. residents — Itay Chen, Judi Weinstein and Gad Haggai — are additionally in Gaza.
Quickly after the video’s launch Wednesday, a whole bunch of protesters massed close to the prime minister’s residence in Jerusalem, chanting, “Carry them again now!” and “Negotiation now!” Drivers honked their horns in solidarity with the crowds. One younger lady held an indication with Goldberg-Polin’s face and the phrases “Carry Hersh house.”
For the reason that begin of the conflict, his poster has been plastered throughout Jerusalem, the place he was raised after his household moved to Israel from america.
Elisheva and Shoshana Baumgarten are sisters who stay close to the Goldberg-Polin household in Baka in southern Jerusalem, they usually knew Hersh as a baby. They stated they usually attend protests to assist the hostages and admire Rachel Goldberg, who has led a global marketing campaign for his launch and has spoken out about defending civilians in Gaza.
The sisters had been relieved to search out out he should be alive, however Shoshana Baumgarten stated she was additionally sick with fear. Prior to now, Hamas has launched movies of dwelling hostages, solely to later share that that they had been killed.
“We simply can’t let him not come house,” stated Elisheva Baumgarten, a historical past professor at Hebrew College.
As Goldberg-Polin grew up, he turned a well-recognized face amongst Jerusalem’s small group of younger progressives. On the gritty Sira Pub in West Jerusalem, employees and patrons stated Wednesday that he was a fixture within the neighborhood.
Arielle Kangisser, 21, stated that he used to frequent the close by espresso store the place she labored and that she would see him typically within the alleyway of vigorous bars the place town’s extra left-wing youths congregate.
Seeing the brand new video Wednesday was “mind-blowing,” she stated. “I didn’t suppose he’d survive along with his hand, his wounds. It’s unimaginable that he’s alive.”
Alon, 39, the proprietor of the adjoining Cafe Sira, stated he bonded with Goldberg-Polin over their shared love of trance music. Alon, who gave solely his first title for privateness causes, stated Wednesday evening that he noticed Goldberg-Polin the afternoon he left for the Nova music pageant close to the Gaza border.
Militants stormed the pageant Oct. 7, turning the out of doors live performance right into a massacre.
Alon stated he “felt a bit sick” when he noticed the video. “Usually, I assume it’s good, however you don’t take a look at it and smile.”
Of their assertion, Goldberg-Polin’s dad and mom — who beforehand described their ache as “virtually exponential” — supplied phrases of consolation to their son.
“Hersh, we heard your voice at present for the primary time in 201 days and in case you can hear us, we’re telling you, we love you, keep sturdy, survive,” they stated.
Joanna Slater, Shira Rubin and Lior Soroka contributed to this report.