A new video has been released, capturing the abduction of American-Israeli hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin and other captives by Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023. In a recent interview, Goldberg-Polin’s parents expressed hope that the footage will serve as a “call to action” to pressure for their son’s release.
“This is our son, being taken from us,” Goldberg-Polin’s father said, urging viewers to think personally about the situation and take action to bring home the hostages. “I hope it will serve as a call of action to get them motivated to fight and do everything we can to bring home these hostages.”
The graphic video, recorded by Hamas, shows the hostages, including Goldberg-Polin, being transported in the back of a pickup truck, with visible signs of trauma and injury. The footage was released by the Israeli Defense Forces, following approval from senior officials.
Warning, Graphic Video:
Goldberg-Polin’s mother opted not to watch the video, citing its graphic nature and potential to cause unnecessary distress. “My daughter told me, ‘Don’t watch it. You’ll see them yanking Hersh by the hair to, like, smile together, almost like for a selfie. She said, ‘It will only hurt you. It’s not going to help you,” she said.
In a statement, a family representative pleaded for the safe return of all hostages, including Goldberg-Polin, Cohen, and Levy. “Every day that passes puts the hostages at greater risk and diminishes our chances of bringing them back safely,” they wrote. “Hersh, Eliya, and Or were taken alive, and they must return alive, today.”
