Hamas video shows American hostage, arm amputated from Oct. 7 attack

Hamas has released a video of an Israeli-American hostage who has been presumably held captive for over 200 days. Hersh Goldberg- Polin, 23, was kidnapped from the Nova music festival, hiding from Hamas terrorists as they killed 1,200 people on Oct. 7, 2023. Goldberg-Polin was one of 200 people taken alive.

Graphic video surfaced following the terror attack. The parents of Hersh, Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg-Polin, confirmed their son can be seen in the footage, missing a portion of his arm with the bone exposed.

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A handful of survivors hiding under dead bodies in the same bunker confirmed Goldberg-Polin’s arm was blown off from a grenade after Hamas launched them inside the shelter.

In the newly released “proof of life” video, Goldberg-Polin is seen with part of his arm and left hand missing. While he criticizes the Israeli government, it is widely believed to be at the directive of Hamas as a form of propaganda.

In the video, Goldberg-Polin said it’s been almost 200 days in captivity but there is no official confirmation of when the video was shot. The video serves as the first piece of evidence that he survived the initial capture on Oct. 7.

His parents released a video message in hopes it will get back to their son.

“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 am telling you, we are telling you, we love you, stay strong, survive,” Rachel Goldberg-Polin said. 

Top U.S. security officials are searching for clues in Hamas’ video of Goldberg-Polin while Israel’s government is urging the world to take it as a stark reminder of who Hamas is.

“We will leave no stone unturned in our effort to find our hostages,” Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, an Israel Defense Forces spokesperson, said. “This psychological terror video is not only a reminder of what Hamas did on October 7th, it is a reminder of how sick this terror group is, terrorizing the hostages and their families too.” 

Goldberg-Polin is just one of five Americans believed to still be in captivity along with 130 others. Of those being held hostage, officials believe at least dozens are presumably dead. However, Goldberg-Polin is bringing hope that there is still the possibility that even after 200 days, hostages are still alive and fighting for their chance to come home.