Yahoo News Parents of American-Israeli Hostage Respond to Hamas Proof-of-Life Video
The parents of an American-Isreali hotage held in Gaza since October 7 said they were “grateful to see [he was] alive” after the al-Qassam Brigades published a video of him on April 24.
In the video, the California-born 24-year-old Hersh Goldberg-Polin identifies himself as “the son of Jonathan and Rachel.”
Seen with an amputated arm, he describes being captured at the Nova Festival: “I went out seeking entertainment with my friends […] instead I found myself struggling to survive with serious injuries all over my body.”
He continues, “Benjamin Netanyahu and his government should be ashamed […] because you neglected us along with thousands of other citizens.”
“You should be ashamed for leaving us 200 days,” he says.
Addressing his parents, he says, “I know you’re doing your best to get me home as soon as possible.”
His parents responded with a video published on the @BringHershHome X page. His father says, “seeing a video of Hersh today is overwhelming, we’re relieved to see him alive, but we are also concerned about his health and wellbeing.”
Calling on the leaders of Egypt, Qatar, Hamas, and Israel, Jonathan says, “get a deal done to reunite all of us with our loved ones.”
Addressing Hersh, Rachel says: “Hersh, if you can hear this. We heard your voice today for the first time in 201 days and if you can hear us, I’m telling you, we are telling you, we love you. Stay strong, survive.” Credit: @BringHershHome via Storyful
Video transcript
My name is Rachel and this is John and we are the parents of Hirsh Goldberg, Poland, an American Israeli civilian who was kidnapped into Gaza 201 days ago, seeing a video of Hirst today is overwhelming.We're relieved to see him alive, but we are also concerned about his health and well being as well as that of all of the other hostages and all of those suffering in this region.And we're here today with a plea to all of the leaders of the parties who have been negotiating to date that includes Qatar, Egypt, the United States, Hamas and Israel.Be brave.Lean in, seize this moment and get a deal done to reunite all of us with our loved ones and to end the suffering in this region and Hirsch if you can hear this, we heard your voice today for the first time in 201 days.And if you can hear us, I am telling you, we are telling you, we love you.Stay strong, survive.
