Israeli-American hostage’s family OKs sharing of Hamas video of son

The family of American-Israeli hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who was executed along with five other hostages by Hamas, is giving the OK to share a video of him before his death, in the hopes it serves as an “immediate wake up call to the world.” The Hamas propaganda video released on Thursday, Sept. 5, shows Goldberg-Polin pleading with President Joe Biden and American officials for a cease-fire deal.

“I’m asking, Mr. President Joe Biden and Antony Blinken, and all my fellow American citizens, do everything you can to stop the war, stop this madness and to bring me home now,” Goldberg-Polin said in the video.

He also went onto describe the conditions he lived in while the militant group held him captive.

“Since I’ve arrived in Gaza, I was provided almost no medical care, no food and no water,” Goldberg-Polin said. “I can’t remember the last time I saw the sun or took a breath of fresh air, and worst of all, is my own country, Israel, has been trying to bomb me nonstop, so they don’t have to take responsibility and make a deal for their mistake.”

The video ends with Goldberg-Polin sending a message to his family and telling them he loves them.

“I miss you, and I’m thinking about you ever single day,” Goldberg-Polin said. “I know you’re doing everything you can. I know you’re out in the streets trying to bring me home now. I need you to stay strong for me and keep fighting, and hopefully, I will be home soon. Don’t stop. I love you.”

His parents issued a statement on Friday, Sept. 6, in response to the Hamas video.

“This must serve as an immediate wake-up call to the world to take action today to secure the release of the remaining 101 hostages before it’s too late,” Rachel Goldberg-Polin and Jon Polin said in the statement. “No other family should go through what our family (and the families of the other recently executed hostages) have endured.”

A growing number of Israelis are reportedly blaming Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for resisting an American-led push to accept a deal to trade Palestinian prisoners for Israeli hostages and to end the war in Gaza. Meanwhile, Biden asserted on Monday, Sept. 2, that Netanyahu is not doing enough to secure a cease-fire and hostage release.

This comes as newly released documents reportedly reveal Netanyahu and Israeli negotiators allegedly prolonged an offensive in Gaza by making additional demands during cease-fire negotiations. Three of the six hostages killed in Gaza last weekend reportedly would have been released under the initial cease-fire agreements backed by the United States and United Nations in May.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu said on Thursday that a cease-fire deal is “far from close,” seemingly contradicting a statement from U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

“Based on what I’ve seen, 90% is agreed, but there a few critical issues that remain where we need to be able to get an agreement,” Blinken said.

The Israeli prime minister argued earlier this week that it is Hamas who is to blame for a lack of a cease-fire deal, listing the agreements Israel was previously willing to take, but Hamas reportedly rejected. Israel also noted Hamas’ recent execution of six Israeli hostages.

“After this, we’re asked to show seriousness,” Netanyahu said. “We’re asked to make concessions. What message does this send to Hamas? It says, kill more hostages, murder more hostages, murder more hostages. You’ll get more concessions. The pressure internationally must be directed at these killers, at Hamas, not Israel.”

Hamas has reportedly vowed to execute remaining Israeli hostages if Israeli forces attempt to rescue them.