Hamas released a hostage video showing an Israeli-American man abducted in an attack in Gaza, sparking protests in Jerusalem. The captive, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, accused Israel’s government of abandoning hostages and claimed that 70 captives have been killed in bombings. Witnesses said he lost part of his arm during the attack. His parents are concerned about his health and well-being, and urged leaders to negotiate for their release. Hostages’ families accuse Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of not doing enough to secure their relatives’ release.
Despite the lack of a clear date on the video, Goldberg-Polin appeared to reference the weeklong Jewish holiday of Passover. Hundreds of Israelis gathered outside Netanyahu’s residence demanding action to bring home the hostages. The family of the captive had asked mediators to inquire about his fate for humanitarian reasons. Talks to broker a cease-fire and secure the hostages’ release have stalled, with Hamas demanding an end to the war before releasing the remaining captives. Netanyahu remains committed to destroying Hamas and bringing all hostages home, but faces criticism in Israel for the challenges of achieving both goals.
Goldberg-Polin’s abduction occurred during an attack in Gaza, where around 250 people were abducted and around 1,200 killed, mostly civilians. Hamas is still believed to be holding around 100 hostages and the remains of 30 others. The majority of hostages were freed in November in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners imprisoned by Israel. Protests outside Netanyahu’s residence called for action to bring Goldberg-Polin and all hostages back home. The situation has stirred concerns about the welfare of captives and the slow progress in negotiations for their release.
The captive’s family has been seeking information on his well-being, as well as the release of all hostages. Hamas has used the hostage video to send a message to Netanyahu, indicating their willingness to negotiate for the release of captives. The U.S., Qatar, and Egypt have been involved in attempts to broker a cease-fire and secure the release of hostages, but progress has been slow. Netanyahu’s rejection of Hamas’ demands to end the war in exchange for releasing the hostages has raised concerns about the challenges of achieving both objectives. The situation has prompted protests and calls for action to bring all hostages safely home.
