Hamas published a propaganda video showing Israeli-American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin on Wednesday on their Telegram channel. Warning: The content of the video included in this article may be graphic for some viewers. Viewer discretion is advised.
The Jerusalem Post cannot confirm the date or authenticity of the video. The Goldberg-Polin family has given permission to Israeli media outlets to share the video.
Hamas has periodically published videos of hostages in an attempt to increase pressure on the Israeli government to agree to its terms and as a form of psychological warfare. In the past, hostages have been forced to read from scripts prepared by the terrorist organization.
Goldberg-Polin seriously injured in Hamas's assault on Nova Music Festival
In the video, Goldberg-Polin notes that he was hanging out with friends at the Nova Music Festival when Hamas attacked the festival and kidnapped him and his friends, countering claims that Hamas leaders have made in the past that they did not target civilians.
Warning: The content of the video below may be graphic for some viewers. Viewer discretion is advised.
Goldberg-Polin was seriously injured by a grenade during the Hamas assault on the Nova Music Festival and lost his left hand.
"On Friday evening, our family gathered to celebrate Simchat Torah,” said John Goldberg-Polin, Goldberg-Polin's father, in October. “Hersh went to a party around 11:00 at night. We wished him a good time. On Saturday morning, we heard alarms and realized something serious had occurred. My wife checked her phone. At 08:00 in the morning, we received a message from Hersh saying, 'I love you.' Ten minutes later, he sent another message 'I'm sorry.'"
Rachel Goldberg, Goldberg-Polin's mother, has been a central activist in the worldwide effort to push for the release of the 133 Israelis still being held hostage by Hamas in Gaza.
Goldberg-Polin's parents: 'We love you, stay strong, survive'
Goldberg-Polin's parents published a statement on Wednesday, saying, "Seeing the video of Hersh today is overwhelming. We are relieved to see him alive, but we are also concerned about his health and wellbeing as well as that of all the other hostages and all of those suffering in this region."
Hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin’s parents:“Seeing the video of Hersh today is overwhelming. We are relieved to see him alive but we are also concerned about his health and wellbeing as well as that of all the other hostages and all of those suffering in this region. We are here… pic.twitter.com/MQwZITbGSO
— Eylon Levy (@EylonALevy) April 24, 2024
"We are here today with a plea to all of the leaders of the parties who have been negotiating to date. This includes Qatar, Egypt, the United States, Hamas and Israel: be brave, lean in, seize this moment and get a deal done to reunite all of us with our loved ones and end the suffering in this region," said his parents. "Hersh, if you can hear this, we heard your voice today for the first time in 201 days and if you can hear us, we are telling you, we love you, stay strong, survive.”
Biden administration received video two days ago
The Biden administration received the video on Monday, two days before Hamas published it to the public, and officials got in contact with Goldberg-Polin's family right after, a US official told CNN.
The FBI’s Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell is examining the video for any potential evidence and information about Goldberg-Polin and where he's being held captive, according to the official.
Hostage Families Forum: 'We cannot afford to waste any more time'
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum stressed after the publication of the video that "for more than 200 days, 133 hostages have been held captive by Hamas, enduring daily physical, sexual, and psychological torment."
"Hersh's cry is the collective cry of all the hostages - their time is rapidly running out. With each passing day, the fear of losing more innocent lives grows stronger," added the Forum. "We cannot afford to waste any more time; the hostages must be the top priority. All the hostages must be brought home - those alive to begin the process of rehabilitation, and those murdered for a dignified burial."
"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."
Tikva Forum of hostage families calls on gov't to increase pressure on Hamas
Tikva Forum, one of the two central groups of hostage families, responded to the video on Wednesday afternoon, saying, "This video is another signal that Hamas is undeterred and wants to abuse us, the families of the hostages."
"Our hearts go out to the Goldberg-Polin family, and we grieve with them for the cruelty and disgust of Hamas," said the Forum, urging media outlets "not to cooperate with the Nazi propaganda videos."
"We expect the prime minister and the War Cabinet to stop shuffling and start using significant levers of pressure that will bring back Hirsch and the rest of the hostages to their homes as soon as possible," said the Tikva Forum. "There are many pressure levers for the return of the hostages that have not been used, such as the annexation of territories from the Gaza Strip, the cessation of 'humanitarian' aid, the occupation of the Philadelphi Corridor, and more."
Some anti-government protest groups affiliated with friends of Goldberg-Polin announced that they would hold a demonstration in front of the Prime Minister's Residence in Jerusalem on Wednesday afternoon in order to demand that the government work harder for the release of the hostages.
This is a developing story.