Rachel Goldberg-Polin Shares Update On Missing Son Held By Hamas
Rachel Goldberg-Polin Shares Update On Missing Son Held By Hamas...
Rachel Goldberg-Polin, the mother of American-Israeli hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, delivered an emotional update Wednesday as her son approaches 200 days in Hamas captivity. The 23-year-old was abducted from the Nova music festival during the October 7 attacks in southern Israel, where he suffered a severed arm before being taken to Gaza.
Goldberg-Polin's plea comes as hostage families intensify pressure on international mediators. "We're living minute to minute," she told CNN from Jerusalem, revealing new details about failed negotiation attempts. The White House confirmed this week that U.S. officials are working with Qatari and Egyptian intermediaries on a potential deal.
Video of Hersh bleeding from his injuries while being loaded into a truck became one of the most widely shared images from the attack. His parents, both American immigrants to Israel, have become prominent advocates for the 133 remaining hostages. Recent protests in Tel Aviv and New York City have featured their son's photo alongside demands for government action.
The Goldberg-Polin family maintains a 24-hour vigil outside the Israeli prime minister's residence. Rachel's daily social media updates have gained over 150,000 followers, with Wednesday's post about Hersh's upcoming birthday generating 25,000 shares. Humanitarian organizations warn that several hostages require urgent medical attention.
This development coincides with renewed U.S. congressional pressure on the Biden administration. A bipartisan group of 113 representatives signed a letter Tuesday demanding increased efforts to secure American hostages. The State Department confirms at least eight U.S. citizens remain missing in Gaza.
Hersh's case has drawn particular attention due to his dual citizenship and graphic abduction footage. Neurologists consulted by the family believe his arm injury requires specialized care unavailable in Hamas tunnels. The International Committee of the Red Cross has been denied access to hostages despite multiple requests.
Israeli military officials told reporters Wednesday that intelligence suggests at least 40 hostages may no longer be alive. The Goldberg-Polins continue circulating a Change.org petition that has gathered 650,000 signatures demanding prisoner exchanges. Negotiations stalled last week after Hamas rejected proposed ceasefire terms.
As the Passover holiday begins Monday, Jewish communities worldwide plan to leave empty chairs at seder tables for the missing. Rachel Goldberg-Polin will lead a global moment of silence at 6 p.m. EST Sunday, coinciding with her son's 200th day in captivity. The family has asked supporters to share photos using #200DaysInHell.
