September 1st 2024.
Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an American-Israeli who was taken hostage by Hamas in Gaza, has tragically passed away, his family announced on Sunday. This news brings fresh heartache to the families of other captives, who are growing increasingly worried as time goes on without any sign of their loved ones who were taken by the militants over 10 months ago.
The devastating announcement came just hours after the Israeli military revealed that they had discovered the bodies of six hostages in Gaza. Hersh's parents have been vocal advocates for their son's safe return, and have been pushing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to take action. They even gave an emotional speech at the Democratic National Convention earlier this month.
Hersh's abduction, which occurred at the Nova music festival on October 7, made him one of the faces of the ongoing hostage crisis that has not only challenged Netanyahu's leadership, but has also resulted in widespread destruction in Gaza. In a statement, the Goldberg-Polin family shared: "With broken hearts, the Goldberg-Polin family is devastated to announce the death of their beloved son and brother, Hersh. The family thanks you all for your love and support and asks for privacy at this time." CNN has reached out to the family for further comment. The identities of the other five hostages have not yet been released.
US President Joe Biden has expressed his devastation and outrage over the discovery of the six bodies, which were found in a tunnel under the city of Rafah in southern Gaza. In a statement released by the White House, Biden paid tribute to Hersh's parents, saying they have been courageous, wise, and steadfast throughout this unimaginable ordeal. He also promised that those responsible for these crimes will be held accountable. "Make no mistake, Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes. And we will keep working around the clock for a deal to secure the release of the remaining hostages," Biden declared.
The ongoing war between Israel and Hamas has been a major point of concern for both domestic and international communities. The conflict began after Hamas launched cross-border attacks on October 7, resulting in the deaths of over 1,200 Israelis and the abduction of 250. In response, Israel launched a war against Gaza, which has led to the deaths of over 40,000 Palestinians, according to the enclave's health ministry.
The families of the hostages have been putting pressure on Netanyahu and his far-right cabinet colleagues to reach a ceasefire deal with Hamas that would bring their loved ones home. However, Netanyahu has insisted that Israel's safety must be ensured before any agreement can be made. But with the recent discovery of more hostage deaths, the pressure is mounting for a resolution to be reached.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, a group representing the families, has called for the Israeli public to mobilize after the Israeli Defense Forces reported finding "a number of bodies" in Gaza. This call to action comes as thousands of people across Israel rallied on Saturday, demanding a ceasefire-for-hostages deal. The forum issued a statement, accusing Netanyahu of abandoning the hostages and vowing to take action. "Starting tomorrow the country will tremble. We call on the public to prepare. We will stop the country," the statement read.
Hersh's death is not only a loss for his family and Israel, but also for the US political community. His parents, Rachel and Jonathan, have been relentlessly fighting for their son's safe return and have met with top US officials in Washington to push for action. They even spoke at the Democratic National Convention, linking the fate of their son to US policy regarding the war in Gaza. In a previous interview with CNN, Rachel described her daily struggle since Hersh's abduction, saying she marks each passing day with a piece of tape.
Biden has been in touch with Israeli officials regarding the situation, but the bodies have not yet been identified. He also called for an end to the war and expressed hope for a ceasefire-for-hostages deal to be reached. The US, along with Qatar and Egypt, have been acting as mediators in the negotiations. The current proposal suggests a three-phase approach, with the first phase involving a six-week ceasefire, the second phase involving the release of all hostages and withdrawal of IDF presence from Gaza, and the third phase focusing on reconstruction. However, Israel has made it clear that they are not ready to agree to a permanent ceasefire and that their safety must be ensured.
While over 100 hostages have been freed under temporary truces and eight have been rescued alive, more than 100 are still believed to be in captivity in Gaza. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum has reported that 33 of the hostages taken in the October 7 attack are presumed dead, with 103 still missing. As the families continue to wait for news, the death of Hersh Goldberg-Polin is a heartbreaking reminder of the devastating toll this war has taken on innocent lives.
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