In a tragic turn of events, the family of American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin has confirmed that he is dead at the hands of Hamas terrorists.
He was only 23 years old:
The family of Israeli-American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin announced the young man’s death early Sunday, ending a relentless campaign by his parents to rescue him that included meetings with world leaders and an address to the Democratic convention last month.
Goldberg-Polin, 23, was seized by militants at a music festival in southern Israel on Oct. 7. The native of Berkeley, California, lost part of his left arm to a grenade in the attack. In April, a Hamas-issued video showed him, his left hand missing and clearly speaking under duress, sparking new protests in Israel urging the government to do more to secure his and others’ freedom.
His bereaved parents mourned the news:
“With broken hearts, the Goldberg-Polin family is devastated to announce the death of their beloved son and brother, Hersh. The family thanks you all for your love and support and asks for privacy at this time.”
Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg-Polin have announced the death of their beloved son, Hersh.
— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) September 1, 2024
Hersh was 23 years old.
His body was recovered by the IDF in Gaza, along with other Israeli hostages. He was one of eight American hostages still being held in Gaza.
Hersh was severely… pic.twitter.com/IO3naA74c2
Last year, he planned to go on a trip around the world, one he had been planning since he was in first grade.
To mark the day he was supposed to depart, Hersh’s parents, relatives, and friends went to the airport, held up signs with his photo, and handed out stickers to passengers.
Hersh’s mom, Rachel, told reporters that she hoped her son would be released in time to take the trip around the world next year.
“You don’t need two arms to travel the world,” she said.
We had reported earlier that the IDF had found bodies in the war-torn region, but they hadn’t been identified. Now, some of them have.
IDF Working to Identify Several Bodies Found in Gaza; Rumors and Heartache Surge Online
There are also reports that six other murdered hostages were also recovered:
#BREAKING The IDF confirms it retrieved the bodies of 6 murdered hostages from Gaza.
— Aviva Klompas (@AvivaKlompas) September 1, 2024
🕯️ Ori Danino
🕯️ Carmel Gat
🕯️ Hersh Goldberg
🕯️ Alex Lubnov
🕯️ Almog Sarusi
🕯️ Edan Yerushalmi
According to the IDF, the six were murdered by Hamas a short while, possibly around a day or… pic.twitter.com/xdFOkheZjq
According to the IDF, the six were murdered by Hamas a short while, possibly around a day or two, before troops found them. The entire Jewish people is wrapped in grief. Our hearts are broken for the 6 souls we couldn’t bring home and for their shattered families 💔
Who would do this?
The pain does not end.
— Aviva Klompas (@AvivaKlompas) September 1, 2024
The family of Carmel Gat confirms that her body was recovered from a tunnel in Gaza 🕯️ pic.twitter.com/sRZlk5myqg
Joe Biden, who quit his reelection race in July and handed the mantle to VP Kamala Harris, expressed his outrage:
President Joe Biden, who had met with the parents, said he was “devastated and outraged.”
“It is as tragic as it is reprehensible,” he said. “Make no mistake, Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes. And we will keep working around the clock for a deal to secure the release of the remaining hostages.”
Hersh’s parents had been among the most high-profile family members speaking out about the horror that Hamas has inflicted upon innocents.
Goldberg-Polin’s parents, U.S.-born immigrants to Israel, became perhaps the most high-profile relatives of hostages on the international stage. They met with Biden, Pope Francis and others and addressed the United Nations, urging the release of all hostages.
On Aug. 21, his parents addressed a hushed hall at the Democratic National Convention — after sustained applause and chants of “bring him home.”
“This is a political convention. But needing our only son — and all of the cherished hostages — home is not a political issue. It is a humanitarian issue,” said his father, Jon Polin. His mother, Rachel, who bowed her head during the ovation and touched her chest, said “Hersh, if you can hear us, we love you, stay strong, survive.”
Among all the anti-Israel protests that have racked our nation, one thing seems often to be forgotten: the true savagery of the Hamas terrorists. We must not forget:
There is evil in this world:
True Savagery: Hamas Terrorists Murdered Over 250 at Music Festival Near Gaza
This Is What They're Supporting: Hamas Terrorist Casually Describes Murdering Crying Children
'Don't Look Away': Israel Releases Video of Hamas Atrocities at Music Festival
As a parent, I can’t imagine the heartbreak the Goldberg-Polin family is going through right now. But this news cements yet again a fact that so many seem to have trouble understanding—there is evil in the world.
And the evil-doers must be wiped out.
Update: Moments after publication, I was alerted to this tweet, which alleges that the poor hostages were murdered moments before being saved. Sick:
IDF Spokesman Hagari says the six hostages recovered from Gaza were "brutally murdered" by Hamas shortly before troops arrived.
— Aviva Klompas (@AvivaKlompas) September 1, 2024
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