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Chicago native held hostage by Hamas seen alive in newly released video

By FOX 32 News
Published  April 24, 2024 5:52pm CDT
Israel Hamas war
FOX 32 Chicago

Chicago native being held hostage seen alive in video shared by Hamas

A Chicago native held hostage by Hamas is alive after being seen in a newly-released video. His parents have been pleading for their sons safe return since his capture.

CHICAGO - A Chicago native held hostage by Hamas was seen alive in a newly released video.

Hamas on Wednesday shared the video of Hersh Goldberg-Polin. Officials are still working to learn its authenticity and when it was recorded.

Goldberg-Polin suffered a terrible injury while he was taken hostage on October 7, 2023, during the music festival Hamas attacked.

The then 23-year-old was one of more than 200 hostages taken. His parents are from Chicago and have been pleading for their son's safe return.

"Seeing a video of Hersh today is overwhelming. We're relieved to see him alive, but we are also concerned about his health and well-being, as well as that of all of the other hostages and all of those suffering in this region," Hersh’s father said.

His parents are calling on all parties who are negotiating to get a deal done to reunite everyone with their loved ones.

Rep. Brad Schneider has issued a statement following the video's release: 

"For 201 days, Hersh Goldberg-Polin’s family has not known if their son is alive or dead. The last image they had of Hersh was from October 7th when their son was seen being thrown into the back of a Hamas truck, his left arm blown off by a Hamas grenade. Finally, after 201 days Hamas released a propaganda video showing Hersh.

"Hersh is a 23-year-old American citizen. On October 6th, he had a holiday dinner with his family in Israel and left to attend the Nova Music Festival. Instead of enjoying a normal concert with hundreds of other young people, he was violently abducted by Hamas. We now know that for 201 days now, he has been held captive.

"We are all relieved that Hersh is alive. We (the United States, Egypt, Qatar, Israel and all people of good will) must do all we can to bring Hersh, and every one of the 132 remaining hostages home now.

"And we must always remember – Hamas did this. Hamas killed more than 1,200 people on October 7. Hamas continues to hold more than 130 people hostage in their terror tunnels. And Hamas continues to decline a deal that would release hostages, pause fighting and allow for aid to flow to civilians in Palestine who desperately need it."