Hamas has released a video of an Israeli-American man being held captive during Israel’s war on the Gaza enclave, sparking new protests calling on the Israeli government to do more to ensure the prisoners’ release .
The video released by the Palestinian group on Wednesday was the first sign of life from Hersh Goldberg-Polin since Oct. 7, when he was captured by Hamas-led militants at the Tribe of Nova music festival in southern Israel.
Part of his left arm appeared to be missing. Witnesses said he lost it when attackers threw grenades into a shelter where people had sought refuge. He had a tourniquet tied around it before Hamas bundled him into a truck.
Although the video did not include a date, Goldberg-Polin appeared to be referring to the week-long Jewish holiday of Passover, which began on Monday.
Qatar, one of the international mediators between Hamas and Israel to secure a ceasefire, shared the video with the United States and Israel on Monday, two days before it was released by the group, sources familiar with the matter quoted the U.S.-based as saying News website Axios.
Another source said US President Joe Biden’s administration had asked the Qatari government several times for assistance in obtaining proof of life for Goldberg-Polin and other American prisoners.
Axios reported that the issue was raised in phone conversations between Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and senior White House officials.
Blame Netanyahu
Al Jazeera’s Bernard Smith, reporting from occupied East Jerusalem, said Goldberg-Polin’s nearly three-minute video featured him openly criticizing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for “not doing enough and blaming him for doing so.” “I didn’t get the prisoners out.”
Goldberg-Polin also claimed that about 70 prisoners were killed in the Israeli bombing of Gaza.
“Of course, remember that these videos, when released, do not speak freely. They are told by their captors what they can and cannot say,” Smith said.
According to the footage, Goldberg-Polin said he has been “underground” for about 200 days, so there is “no set time frame for the video,” Smith said, adding that it is the first video of its kind in about three months act.
In response to the video, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, a group representing people held captive in Gaza and their families, said “time is running out” to ensure all prisoners are returned.
“With each passing day, the fear of losing more innocent lives grows greater,” it said in a statement.
“All hostages must be brought home – those still alive to begin rehabilitation and those murdered to receive a dignified burial.”
“This harrowing video is an urgent call to take swift and decisive action to resolve this terrible humanitarian crisis and ensure the safe return of our loved ones.”
Protesters have taken to the streets in cities across Israel demanding that the Netanyahu government do more to bring prisoners home and, more recently, calling for an end to the war in Gaza and new elections in Israel.
Goldberg-Polin is one of the most famous Hamas prisoners. Posters with his picture hang all over Israel. His mother, Rachel Goldberg, has met several world leaders and spoken at the United Nations.
His parents said they were relieved to see him alive but worried for his health and well-being, as well as that of other prisoners.
“We are here today with an appeal to all the leaders of the parties that have negotiated so far,” said his father Jon Polin, naming Egypt, Israel, Qatar, the United States and Hamas.
“Be brave, lean forward, seize this moment and strike a deal to reunite us all with our loved ones and end the suffering in this region,” he said.
Israeli attacks on Gaza have killed at least 34,262 Palestinians and injured 77,229 since October 7. The death toll in Israel from Hamas’ Oct. 7 attacks stands at 1,139, with dozens still held captive in Gaza.