Finding Hope Amidst Adversity: Parents of Hersh Goldberg-Polin Reflect on Hamas Video

Rachel Goldberg-Polin has been repeating the mantra "I love you. Stay strong. Survive." ever since her son was captured by Hamas on October 7.

She shared with CNN's Anderson Cooper that she has said these words countless times over the past 202 days. Hearing her son, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, use the same language was incredibly meaningful and powerful for the family.

Goldberg-Polin's mother referred to a video released by Hamas on Wednesday, showing her Israeli-American son, the first proof of his being alive since October 7. In the video, with part of his left arm missing, Goldberg-Polin spoke in Hebrew, urging his parents to stay strong for him.

The undated video has brought them hope, but Jonathan Polin, the father, expressed mixed emotions. As a parent, he knows that his left-handed son is not doing well.

"He doesn’t look great, his coloring is off – but you’d expect that after 200 plus days in a tunnel,” he said. “It lights a fire under us even more than we’ve already had to bring him and the other hostages home."

Goldberg-Polin, who is almost certainly speaking under duress in the video, was kidnapped from the Nova music festival during Hamas’ attacks on Israel. Over 1,200 people died and more than 200 people were taken hostage.

Hersch Goldberg Polin in the video stills (hand cut out of frame)

Hersch Goldberg Polin in the video stills (hand cut out of frame)

Qassam Brigades

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Hamas has released a video showing hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, providing evidence that he survived the injuries he sustained on October 7th.

The footage of his capture depicted Hamas fighters leading the 23-year-old away from the bomb shelter, with part of his arm missing. Goldberg-Polin's parents first saw this video after an interview with Cooper in October. During the live TV interview, the couple recounted eyewitness reports of their son's capture, leading Cooper to recognize similarities with details he had heard previously.

Cooper contacted the family after the interview to share the news gently and asked if they wanted to see the video. They later confirmed that the man in the video was their son and requested for it to be shared more widely.

The family was informed by an eyewitness that Goldberg-Polin lost his arm from the elbow down while helping to throw grenades out of a bunker where he and others were seeking shelter.

The Hamas video on Wednesday showed that part of his left arm is missing several inches above the hand, and it seems to be healing. Surgeons have contacted Rachel, saying that the wound requires treatment and rehabilitation.

Despite their concerns for Goldberg-Polin's health, his parents are grateful for the evidence of his survival. Rachel mentioned, "He's alive, and there are many families who do not have that assurance."

Their son is one of the 129 hostages still in Gaza. Banners and murals in Jerusalem call for his return, and his parents often meet with US officials to advocate for all the hostages.

It's like trying to kiss someone through a veil.

Goldberg-Polin expressed his hope in a video that he had brought comfort to his parents during the Jewish holiday of Passover, which started on Monday night.

His family has found it difficult to celebrate the holiday without him. His mother shared with Cooper that Passover is usually a time to remember the Jewish people's journey from captivity in Egypt to becoming a free nation. However, celebrating freedom while feeling emotionally captive felt wrong to them.

Goldberg-Polin also spoke in Hebrew in the clip, which Rachel found intriguing since they never use that language with their children. "It was like hearing a familiar voice from a distance, because Hebrew is not our usual language at home. But it's his voice," Rachel explained.

The Goldberg-Polin family is urging the negotiating parties such as Qatar, Egypt, the United States, Hamas, and Israel to step up their efforts in reaching a resolution that would bring families back together and put an end to their hardships.

Jonathan told Cooper, "This video serves as a reminder to negotiators that they are interacting with real people with dreams, families, and a strong desire to reunite with their loved ones. Perhaps this can be a positive outcome of the situation."

Editor's P/S:

As a mother, I cannot fathom the anguish and desperation that Rachel Goldberg-Polin must have endured during the agonizing months of her son's captivity. The release of the video, while providing a glimmer of hope, is also a stark reminder of the horrors he has endured. The family's plea for intensified negotiations and the release of all hostages is a poignant call to action, urging humanity to prioritize the suffering of innocent individuals caught in the crossfire of conflict.

The video footage of Hersh Goldberg-Polin's capture and his subsequent appearance in the Hamas video paint a disturbing picture of the violence and trauma he has faced. The loss of his arm, the visible signs of distress, and the evident duress under which he speaks are a testament to the barbaric nature of his captivity. It is imperative that all parties involved in the negotiations prioritize the well-being and immediate release of Goldberg-Polin and the other hostages, ensuring their safe return to their loved ones.