Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an Israeli American hostage held by Hamas for nearly 11 months, was found dead in Gaza along with five other hostages. President Joe Biden expressed his sadness at the news, highlighting how Goldberg-Polin was injured during a music festival for peace in Israel and ultimately killed by Hamas before Israeli forces could reach them. Goldberg-Polin was born in the United States and moved to Israel with his family when he was 7 years old. His parents had been vocal in their efforts to bring him and the other hostages home, launching a social media campaign and making media appearances.
Goldberg-Polin was injured in an attack in October, losing his arm, and seen in a video released by Hamas in April. His parents urged the Israeli government to compromise for the sake of all those affected by the conflict. Despite the tragedy, his parents remained determined to continue fighting for his return, joining other hostage families in sharing their message during Netanyahu’s visit to Washington, D.C.
Biden expressed his devastation at Goldberg-Polin’s death and praised his parents for their unwavering advocacy for their son. The attack on the music festival had left over 1,200 people dead in Israel, with more than 40,000 people killed in the military offensive following the terror attack. Approximately 100 hostages remain in Hamas custody, with efforts continuing to bring them home.
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