Hamas posted a video of an Israeli-American youth held in Gaza, who lost part of his arm, and said the hostages were living “in hell.”
In the video released by Hamas on April 24, the young man said he was Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23 years old, one of the hostages kidnapped during the Nova music festival in southern Israel on October 7, 2023. when Hamas raided the area.
Goldberg-Polin, an American citizen of Israeli origin, said he was seriously injured while “using his body to shield scared people”. Video shows him missing his hand and part of his left arm, but appearing healthy. “I went out with friends, but instead had to fight for my life because I had severe injuries all over my body,” Goldberg-Polin said.
It’s unclear when or where the video was filmed, although Goldberg-Polin said he was held hostage for “nearly 200 days”. Fighting in Gaza entered its 200th day on April 23.
Goldberg-Polin criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s handling of the crisis and the Israeli military’s failure to bring back the hostages.
Israeli-American citizen Hersh Goldberg-Polin in a video posted by Hamas on April 24. Video: Telegram/Hamas
“When Prime Minister Netanyahu and members of the Israeli government sit down to eat with their families during the holidays, think of us, the hostages still living in hell here,” Goldberg-Polin said, referring to Passover of Jews begins this week. “Take us home now.”
Goldberg-Polin said those arrested were living underground, without food or water, and without exposure to sunlight. He was injured but did not receive medical care for a long time.
Goldberg-Polin’s mother campaigned for her son’s return. She also met Pope Francis at the Vatican last year to ask for help.
“I know everyone is doing everything for me to come home as soon as possible. For me, everyone must be strong and keep fighting until I and all the hostages are returned safely,” Goldberg- Polin sent a message to his family.
Goldberg-Polin’s parents said they were “relieved to see their son alive”, but worried about his health as well as the hostages’. “For the first time in 201 days, we heard your voice. If you could hear it, we wanted to say we love you. Son, be strong,” Goldberg-Polin’s parents said. said, and at the same time called on all sides to reach a ceasefire agreement and return the hostages.
The group Hostage Forum and Families of the Missing said Goldberg-Polin’s relatives allowed the media to post videos of their son. “Hersh’s cry is the cry of all the hostages. They don’t have much time left. With each passing day, the fear of losing more innocent lives grows greater,” the group said.
US and Israeli officials have not commented on this video.
Dozens of protesters gathered outside Prime Minister Netanyahu’s official residence in Jerusalem on the evening of April 24, holding up signs that read: “Take them home now.”
Israel estimates that after the November 2023 hostage exchange agreement, 129 of about 250 people kidnapped by Hamas remained in Gaza. The military said 34 of them died.
In response to Hamas, Israel launched an attack on the Gaza Strip. According to health authorities in Gaza, at least 34,262 people, most of them women and children, have died since the outbreak of fighting.
Huyen Le (According to AFP, Reuters)
