“Happy-go-lucky” Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, one of the most recognizable of the hostages who remained in Gaza, has been confirmed as one of the six captives whose bodies were recovered from the enclave on Saturday night.
The deaths have sparked fresh heartbreak and horror for the hostage families who fear that time is running out for their loved ones seized by Hamas, as pressure grows on the Israeli government to secure a ceasefire agreement
Banners and murals demanding to bring Goldberg-Polin home have often been displayed in Jerusalem and his parents Rachel and Jonathan have regularly met top US officials in Washington to press the case of the hostages.
Goldberg-Polin, then 23, was kidnapped from the Nova music festival during Hamas’ October 7 attacks on Israel when more than 1,200 people died and more than 200 people were taken hostage.
A firsthand account from a young woman, who was in a bunker with him when Hamas attacked, said he had helped to throw grenades out, before his arm was blown off from the elbow down. The first proof that he survived his capture came in a video released by Hamas in April, which showed him with part of his left arm missing several inches above the hand.
His mother, Rachel Goldberg-Polin told CNN in January that she wears a piece of tape marking each day that has passed since he was snatched by Hamas fighters. He had been set to go on a round-the world trip starting December 27, 2023.
Read more about Hersh Goldberg-Polin here.