Rachel Goldberg and Jonathan Polin, parents of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who was taken hostage in the Oct. 7 Hamas attack Jonathan Polin participated in a demonstration held by the families of captured prisoners near Kibbutz Nirim in southern Israel near the Gaza border, demanding their release on August 29, 2024.
Jake Guess | AFP | Getty Images
Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an Israeli-American taken hostage in the Oct. 7 Hamas terror attack, was one of six hostages whose bodies were found Saturday.
A family representative said: “The Goldberg-Pohling family is heartbroken to announce the passing of their beloved son and brother Hersh. They thank everyone for their love and support and ask for privacy at this time.”
President Joe Biden said the bodies of Goldberg-Poulin and five other hostages held by Hamas were found in a tunnel beneath Rafah.
“I am shocked and outraged,” Biden said in a statement.
The Israel Defense Forces identified the hostages as Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov, and Almog Sarusi and Master Sgt. Ori Danino.
The IDF and the Shin Bet recovered the bodies from the tunnels and brought them back to Israeli territory, the IDF said.
“Since Farhan’s identity was confirmed, troops have been instructed to operate with extra caution, even more so than usual, because they know there may be more hostages in the area,” he said. “We don’t have an exact identity of the hostages. location information.”
Hagari expressed his condolences to the families of the hostages.
“Words cannot describe what the hostages have endured in Hamas captivity for 331 days since October 7, and what their families have been through,” he said. “This morning, the news Shocked us all.”
Hostages taken from festivals, homes
Goldberg Pollin, 23, was one of the hostages taken in the attack on the Supernova music festival in the Israeli desert. and lost his arm in a grenade explosion.
His parents have been public and outspoken advocates for bringing hostages home, including one impassioned plea released during the Democratic National Convention
“They were ruthless and irrepressible defenders of their sons and of all the hostages held under unreasonable conditions,” Biden said. “I admire them and grieve for them more than words can express.” “There is no doubt that Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes. We will continue to work around the clock to reach an agreement to secure the release of the remaining hostages.”
Gate, 40, kidnapped from her parents’ home at Kibbutz Beeri. She was an occupational therapist in Tel Aviv, according to the Hostage Family Forum. The group said returned hostages described her as “their guardian angel” who taught them meditation and yoga while in captivity.
“She enjoys traveling alone, meeting new people, live rock concerts, and is especially fond of Radiohead,” the forum said.
According to the forum, Yerushalmi, a 24-year-old girl from Tel Aviv, was taken away from the Nova Music Festival, where she worked as a bartender. She loved her family, Pilates, animals and dance, according to a video posted on her Instagram account dedicated to advocating for her return home.
Lobanov, 33, Salusi, 27, People were also kidnapped at the music festival, according to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum.
Lobanov worked as a bar manager at the festival. While he was in captivity, his wife gave birth to their second child, according to the Hostage Family Forum. He was from Ashkelon.
Sarusi from Ra’anana is a “smart, humorous person who is friendly to all,” said a post from the X account “Bring Them Home Now.” He was attending a music festival with his girlfriend of five years, but she was killed. According to the forum, he “remained with her and tried to help her when she was injured, but was later captured”.
Danino, 25, from Jerusalem, was also kidnapped during Nova, according to the Israeli embassy in the United States, which said he “helped others escape before being captured himself.” He was the eldest of five siblings and planned to start studying electrical engineering, according to the forum.
Hamas condemns
Heartbreaking and angry messages began pouring in from Biden administration officials and politicians late Saturday following the announcement of Goldberg-Poulin’s death.
Vice President Kamala Harris expressed condolences over Goldberg-Poulin’s death, saying in a statement that her thoughts were with Goldberg-Poulin’s parents and “all who knew and loved Hersh.” pray.
She strongly condemned Hamas, calling it an “evil terrorist organization” that now has “more American blood on its hands.”
“The threat Hamas poses to the Israeli people and to American citizens in Israel must be eliminated, and Hamas cannot control Gaza,” she said in the statement, which was made in her official capacity as vice president, not as president. campaign.
“Our hearts break for Jon, Rachel and their entire family, as well as other families who find their loved ones unable to return home today. May their memory be a blessing,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, referring to the short phrase used by Jews to mourn their dead. language.
Goldberg-Pauling’s parentsand the families of other hostages have continued to urge Netanyahu and the Israeli government, as well as the international community, to pay attention to the plight of their loved ones.
July, Goldberg-Pauling’s parents Netanyahu reunites with families of other US hostages during visit to Washington Share their message: Bring the hostages home immediately.
At last week’s Democratic National Conventionhis parents again begged him to come back.
“From that point on, we lived on a different planet,” Rachel Goldberg-Poulin said of her son’s abduction. “Anyone who is a parent or has ever been a parent can try to imagine the pain and anguish that Jon and I and all of the hostage families must have endured.”
Pressure on Netanyahu
in a Statement about XThe Hostages and Missing Families Forum took aim at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying he had “abandoned the kidnapped! This is now a fact”.
“Starting tomorrow, the country will tremble. We are calling on the public to prepare. We are locking down the country,” the statement read. The forum said it would share more details on Sunday morning.
Netanyahu faces growing pressure in Israel and around the world to reach a deal. ceasefire agreement Cooperation with Hamas will ensure the release of the hostages and end the fighting in Gaza.
Earlier on Saturday, Biden called for an end to the war.
“We should end this war,” Biden said. “I think we’re close to a deal. It’s time to end it. It’s time to end it.”
Hamas’s terrorist attack on October 7 killed more than 1,200 people in Israel and took about 250 people hostage.
The destruction and humanitarian crisis in Gaza has drawn international condemnation and isolated Netanyahu on the international stage.
About 100 hostages are still being held by Hamas.
In the 10 months since the attack, some hostages have been released through diplomatic agreements, some have been rescued in IDF operations, and some have been killed or died in custody. The hostages’ plight has roiled Israeli society, sparking protests and anger as Netanyahu failed to reach a ceasefire that would have allowed them to return home.
