Gaza-based Hamas fighters have released a video showing Israeli-American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, providing the first evidence of his survival since the October 7 attack, which was in response to Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories since 1948.
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Goldberg-Polin, who was 23 at the time, was abducted during the Nova music festival amidst Hamas’ assaults on Israel, resulting in over 1,200 casualties and more than 200 people being held captive. In the footage, Goldberg-Polin, with a portion of his left arm missing several inches above the hand, appears seated and addressing the camera. The undated video indicates his presence for nearly 200 days, suggesting it was recorded shortly before the 200th day of the conflict.
During the October 7 attack, Goldberg-Polin’s arm was severely injured, as witnessed by a young woman who was sheltering with him in a bunker. She recounted his efforts to defend against the assault before his arm was maimed from the elbow down. Goldberg-Polin accuses the Israeli Prime Minister of obstructing negotiations between Hamas and Israel in the video.
