Israeli hostage video from Hamas underscores urgent need for release

Pale, with closely cropped hair and a missing left arm, Hersh Goldberg-Polin appears alive in the video released by Hamas on April 24. In the footage, the 23-year-old Israeli-American hostage reads a statement that dates the video. He accuses his government of abandoning the hostages for “200 days” and ends his message by wishing his family a happy holiday. Passover began on April 22.

Of the 133 Israeli hostages still held by Hamas, official sources report that at least 34 have died. For Hersh’s parents, Rachel and Jon Goldberg-Polin, this propaganda video is the first proof of life of their son since October 7. “We are relieved to see him alive, but we are also concerned about his health and well-being as well as those of all the other hostages and everyone suffering in this region,” they share in a video posted on their social media. Hersh himself claims that “Israeli bombings have killed nearly 70 captives.”

The tireless fight of the parents

Hersh was at the Nova festival in Reim on October 7. After attempting to escape by car, he took refuge with 29 others in a rocket shelter. Hamas fighters killed 18 festival-goers with grenades and took the four who remained standing prisoner. In one video, Hersh is seen sitting in the back of a pickup truck, his left forearm torn off.

Since then, his parents have tirelessly fought for his and the other captives’ return, leaving their jobs, leveraging their American citizenship, and traveling the world to exert pressure. On April 17, Time named his mother, Rachel, among the 100 most influential people of 2024. As the face and voice of the hostage families, she has addressed the UN and met with dozens of foreign leaders, including President Joe Biden, Pope Francis, and Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.

The clock is ticking before the imminent operation in Rafah

Qatar, a key player in the negotiations, reportedly received the Hamas video on April 22, immediately forwarding it to the United States, according to journalist Barak Ravid’s report published by Axios. For the emirate, “this proof of life is an important political success,” the journalist believes. “It could help it counter Israeli and American criticisms that it isn’t pressing Hamas enough to move forward on the hostage release deal.”

At a stalemate, negotiations are mired in the uncompromising positions of both Israel and Hamas, with neither side ready to give ground for a compromise. This video could jumpstart the process. On April 25, Joe Biden and 17 other leaders issued a statement calling for the immediate release of the hostages: “The current deal on the table would lead to an immediate and extended ceasefire in Gaza, facilitating the delivery of needed humanitarian aid across Gaza and leading to a credible end to hostilities.” At the same time, the Israeli war cabinet was meeting to discuss the deal and an imminent offensive in Rafah.