JERUSALEM (AP) — Hamas launched a hostage video on Wednesday displaying a widely known Israeli-American man who was amongst scores of individuals kidnapped by the militants within the assault that ignited the warfare in Gaza.
The video was the primary signal of lifetime of Hersh Goldberg-Polin since Hamas’ Oct. 7 assault on southern Israel, and its launch ignited new protests in Jerusalem calling on the federal government to do extra to safe the captives’ launch.
Within the video, Goldberg-Polin accused Israel’s authorities of abandoning the people who find themselves being held hostage by Hamas. He additionally claimed that some 70 captives have been killed in Israel’s bombing marketing campaign. Goldberg-Polin was clearly talking below duress, and the declare couldn’t be independently verified. It was not clear when the video was made.
Goldberg-Polin, 23, was on the Tribe of Nova music competition when Hamas launched its assault from close by Gaza. Within the video, Goldberg-Polin is lacking a part of his left arm.
Witnesses stated he misplaced it when attackers tossed grenades right into a shelter the place individuals had taken refuge. He had tied a tourniquet round it earlier than being bundled into the truck by Hamas.
Goldberg-Polin is without doubt one of the most acknowledged captives. Posters together with his picture are pinned up throughout Israel. His mom, Rachel Goldberg, has met with world leaders and addressed the United Nations.
Although there was no date on the video, Goldberg-Polin appeared to reference the weeklong Jewish vacation of Passover, which started on Monday.
His mother and father stated they had been relieved to see him alive however had been involved about his well being and well-being, in addition to that of the opposite hostages.
“We’re right here at the moment with a plea to all the leaders of the events who’ve been negotiating thus far,” stated his father, Jon Polin, naming Egypt, Israel, Qatar, the US and Hamas.
“Be courageous, lean in, seize this second and get a deal finished to reunite all of us with our family members and finish the struggling on this area,” he stated.
Hostages’ households have accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s authorities of not doing sufficient to safe the discharge of their family.
After the Hamas video was made public, lots of of Israelis gathered outdoors Netanyahu’s official residence in central Jerusalem on Wednesday, calling on the federal government to strike a deal to carry dwelling hostages. Many held posters of Goldberg-Polin, and among the protesters set cardboard bins on hearth.
“We’re afraid for his life, so we went to protest and name for the federal government to do no matter is feasible to carry him and everyone else again, as quickly as potential,” stated one of many marchers, Nimrod Madrer. “Convey them again dwelling,” the gang chanted.
On the close by Nice Synagogue, a big crowd jeered the nation’s ultranationalist nationwide safety minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, chanting “disgrace” as he exited the constructing following a Passover gathering. One protester banged on Ben-Gvir’s automotive and was pushed away by police because it drove off.
Hamas and different militants kidnapped round 250 individuals within the Oct. 7 assault and killed round 1,200, largely civilians. They’re nonetheless believed to be holding round 100 hostages and the stays of some 30 others. A lot of the relaxation had been freed in November in trade for the discharge of 240 Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.
Khalil al-Hayya, a senior Hamas official, stated Goldberg-Polin’s household had requested mediators to inquire about his destiny for humanitarian causes.
His household was “looking the world for any signal of him,” al-Hayya stated in an interview with Hamas-run Al-Aqsa TV broadcast on Wednesday. Hamas’ armed wing ”despatched a robust message by publishing this younger man’s message directed at Netanyahu,” al-Hayya stated.
The U.S., Qatar and Egypt have spent months attempting to dealer one other cease-fire and hostage launch, however the talks seem to have stalled. Hamas has stated it won’t launch the remaining hostages until Israel ends the warfare, which has killed over 34,000 Palestinians, in line with native officers.
Netanyahu has rejected these calls for, and says Israel stays dedicated to destroying Hamas and bringing all of the hostages dwelling. He has come below mounting criticism in Israel, the place some say will probably be inconceivable to do each.