Hamas releases video of Hersh Goldberg-Polin — hostage with Chicago roots

JERUSALEM — Hamas has released a recorded video of a renowned Israeli American hostage.

The video was the first sign of life of Hersh Goldberg-Polin since Hamas' Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel. It's not clear when the video was taken.

In it, Goldberg-Polin accused Israel’s government of abandoning the people who are being held hostage by Hamas. He also claimed that some 70 captives have been killed in Israel’s bombing campaign. Goldberg-Polin was clearly speaking under duress, and the claim could not be independently verified.

Goldberg-Polin, 23, was at the Tribe of Nova music festival when Hamas launched its attack from nearby Gaza. In the video, Goldberg-Polin is missing part of his left arm.

Witnesses said he lost it when attackers tossed grenades into a shelter where people had taken refuge. He tied a tourniquet around it before being bundled into the truck.

Though there was no date on the video, Goldberg-Polin appeared to reference the weeklong Jewish holiday of Passover. Passover began Monday.

His family said they gave permission for the video to be published after Hamas released it.

Goldberg-Polin's parents, Rachel Golberg and Jon Polin, are Chicago natives. Last week, Rachel Goldberg was named by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in 2024.

“This distressing video serves as an urgent call to take swift and decisive action to resolve this horrific humanitarian crisis and ensure the safe return of our loved ones,” his family said in a statement released by a forum for hostages' relatives.

His parents said they were relieved to see him alive but were concerned about his health and well-being, as well as that of the other hostages.

“We are here today with a plea to all of the leaders of the parties who have been negotiating to date,” Jon Polin said, naming Egypt, Israel, Qatar, the United States and Hamas.

“Be brave, lean in, seize this moment and get a deal done to reunite all of us with our loved ones and end the suffering in this region,” he said.

Hostages’ families have accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government of not doing enough to secure the release of their relatives.

After the Hamas video was made public, hundreds of Israelis gathered outside Netanyahu’s official residence in central Jerusalem on Wednesday, calling on the government to strike a deal to bring home hostages. Many held posters of Goldberg-Polin, and some of the protesters set cardboard boxes on fire.

“We are afraid for his life, so we went to protest and call for the government to do whatever is possible to bring him and everybody else back, as soon as possible,” said one of the marchers, Nimrod Madrer. "Bring them back home,” the crowd chanted.

At the nearby Great Synagogue, a large crowd jeered the country’s ultranationalist national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, chanting “shame” as he exited the building following a Passover gathering. One protester banged on Ben-Gvir’s car and was pushed away by police as it drove off.

Goldberg-Polin is one of the most recognized captives. Posters with his image are pinned up across Israel. Rachel Goldberg has met with world leaders and addressed the United Nations.

Jon Polin grew up in West Rogers Park and Skokie. Rachel Goldberg was raised in Streeterville on Lake Shore Drive. Her mom still lives downtown near Navy Pier, and Polin’s mom lives in Evanston.

Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., told the Sun-Times that of the 12 U.S. citizens captured by Hamas, five have Illinois connections, including Goldberg-Polin. Natalie and Judith Raanan, the Evanston daughter and mother, were released by Hamas on Oct. 20.

Contributing: Kaitlin Washburn