A new video has emerged showing Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an American national being held hostage by Hamas militants in Gaza, making a plea for his release.
The 23-year-old Israeli-American appears visibly injured in the footage, with his left arm severed below the elbow. Speaking in Hebrew, he calls on Israel’s government to secure the freedom of hostages as the conflict enters its 200th day.
“Think of the hostages living underground, in need of medical care,” Goldberg-Polin states, also claiming 70 detainees have perished in Israeli airstrikes, though this could not be independently verified.
The video’s release comes amid stalled negotiations for a ceasefire and hostage exchange between Israel and Hamas. Its intended psychological impact is clear, with Goldberg-Polin closing by telling his parents “I love you” and expressing hopes “this tragedy” will soon end.
Israeli officials have pushed back against such “psychological warfare” tactics, however, for the Goldberg-Polin family, it was a reminder of their son’s plight and deteriorating situation.
“Hersh’s cry is the collective cry of all the hostages – their time is rapidly running out,” they said. “This distressing video serves as an urgent call to take swift and decisive action to resolve this horrific humanitarian crisis and ensure the safe return of our loved ones.”
Hersh Goldberg-Polin was among 250 people taken captive by Hamas during the chaotic violence at an Israeli music festival last October. The assault sparked the still-raging Gaza war that has claimed over 34,000 Palestinian lives so far.
