Hamas released a video of Israeli-American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin on Wednesday, the first proof that he survived being badly wounded during his capture on October 7.
Goldberg-Polin, then 23, was kidnapped from the Nova music festival during Hamas鈥 attacks on Israel when more than 1,200 people died and more than 200 people were taken hostage.
He is shown in the undated video with part of his left arm missing several inches above the hand.
Video filmed on October 7 showed Goldberg-Polin being taken hostage with his arm severely injured. 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 latest video shows Goldberg-Polin sitting in a chair, addressing the camera. Gesturing occasionally with his injured arm, he identifies himself and gives his date of birth and parents鈥 names.
He says he has been 鈥渉ere for almost 200 days,鈥 suggesting the video was filmed shortly before Tuesday, the 200th day of the war.
Goldberg-Polin鈥檚 hair is cropped short in the video, which is edited with a number of cuts from wide shot to close up.
He criticizes the Israeli government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as other Israeli hostages in Hamas propaganda videos have done. Held captive in Gaza for six months, he is almost certainly speaking under duress.
He mentions Israeli government ministers sitting down to holiday dinners with their families, an apparent reference to the Jewish holiday of Passover, which began Monday night and is traditionally celebrated with a family dinner.
He urges his own family to stay strong for him and finishes by saying he hopes he was able to give them some comfort on the holiday.
The Biden administration received the video Monday 鈥 two days before Hamas made it public 鈥 and officials have since been in contact with Goldberg-Polin鈥檚 family, according to a US official. The FBI鈥檚 Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell is running point on examining the video for any potential evidence and information that can be gleaned about Goldberg-Polin and his captivity, the official said.
Goldberg-Polin is among the most recognizable of the 129 hostages who remain in Gaza. Banners and murals are displayed in Jerusalem, saying: 鈥淏ring Hersh Home,鈥 and his parents Rachel and Jonathan regularly meet top US officials in Washington to press the case of the hostages.
Of the 129 October 7 hostages still being held in Gaza, the Israeli government believes 33 are dead.
Following the release of the video, the Goldberg-Polin family demanded immediate action to release their son and the other hostages still held in Gaza.
鈥淪eeing the video of Hersh today is overwhelming. We are relieved to see him alive, but we are also concerned about his health and wellbeing as well as that of all the other hostages and all of those suffering in this region,鈥 his parents Rachel Goldberg-Polin and Jon Polin said in a video statement.
The Goldberg-Polin family has called on the negotiating parties, including Qatar, Egypt, the United States, Hamas, and Israel, to intensify efforts and strike a deal that would reunite families and end their suffering.
They also sent a personal message to their son, 鈥淗ersh, we heard your voice today for the first time in 201 days. If you can hear us, know that we love you. Stay strong, survive.鈥
The hostage video released Wednesday of Goldberg-Polin was the first proof he had survived his injuries sustained on October 7. Previous footage, taken on the day of that attack, shows Hamas fighters leading him away from the bomb shelter with part of his arm missing.
The first time Goldberg-Polin鈥檚 parents saw that video was following an interview with CNN鈥檚 Anderson Cooper in October. The pair were recalling eyewitness accounts of how their son was taken into captivity during a live TV interview, when Cooper realized he had heard details of the story before.
Days earlier, an Israeli soldier at the site of the Nova music festival had shown Cooper a video of Hamas fighters lobbing grenades into a bomb shelter. The video also showed a young Israeli man 鈥 with his hand blown off and bone protruding from his wrist 鈥 being marched out of the shelter and thrown along with four others into the back of a truck. Cooper realized this was Rachel and John鈥檚 son.
Not wanting to spring the news on them on live TV, Cooper contacted them after the interview and asked if they wanted to see the video. They later confirmed the man in the video was their son and asked that the video be shared more widely.
Rachel Goldberg-Polin was told by eyewitnesses that as many as 29 people had huddled together in the shelter before Hamas began to throw grenades inside. Eight people survived by hiding under the bodies of the dead, while her son was one of several hostages taken.
Rachel Goldberg-Polin has campaigned for her son鈥檚 release for the past six months. She told CNN in January that she wears a piece of tape marking each day that has passed since Hersh was snatched by Hamas fighters.
Hersh, 23, was set to go on a round-the-world trip he had planned. On December 27, when he had been scheduled to leave, his mother went to the airport with friends and handed stickers of Hersh to passengers on his flight, asking them to send photos from places they visit.
Incumbent B.C. Premier David Eby鈥檚 NDP appears poised to win the province鈥檚 nail-biting 2024 election 鈥 and could potentially retain the party鈥檚 majority, by the narrowest of margins.
Candidates across Saskatchewan have made their final pitches to potential voters as the 2024 campaign comes to a close and election day arrives.
A growing number of Liberal caucus members are calling for a secret ballot vote to decide whether Justin Trudeau should step down as party leader.
More than 200,000 people have cancelled subscriptions to The Washington Post since the newspaper announced its decision last week not to endorse a candidate for president, a published report said Monday.
Here's how retirees will get their funds from the federal benefit.
A group of Cape Breton firefighters are apologizing after four people showed up at a Halloween dance dressed in what appeared to be Ku Klux Klan costumes.
Marred by several delays, the trial of alleged human traffickers Lauriston and Amber Maloney finally got underway on Monday in a Bradford courtroom, with a woman who worked and lived with the couple testifying.
The family and community of a woman who died in a Halifax Walmart is still waiting for answers.
Prince William has opened up about how a powerful childhood experience with his brother and late mother helped shape his work in combatting homelessness.
Suspended Ottawa lawyer James Bowie has been ordered to pay $235,000 in damages to a former client after he repeatedly suggested she pay for his legal services with oral sex and released personal details about her online after the allegations were reported by 愛污传媒 Ottawa.
A group of Cape Breton firefighters are apologizing after four people showed up at a Halloween dance dressed in what appeared to be Ku Klux Klan costumes.
Marred by several delays, the trial of alleged human traffickers Lauriston and Amber Maloney finally got underway on Monday in a Bradford courtroom, with a woman who worked and lived with the couple testifying.
The family and community of a woman who died in a Halifax Walmart is still waiting for answers.
A Federal Court hearing got underway Monday to determine whether a group of Black public servants can proceed with a class-action lawsuit alleging discrimination in the federal government.
Health Minister Mark Holland said the federal government will launch consultations this fall about expanding the medical assistance in dying regime to include advanced requests.
Incendiary devices were set off Monday at two ballot drop boxes 鈥 one in Portland and another in nearby Vancouver, Washington 鈥 destroying hundreds of ballots in what one official called a 鈥渄irect attack on democracy鈥 about a week before a heated Election Day.
Democrats stepped up their attacks on Donald Trump on Monday, a day after a comedian opening a rally for the former president called Puerto Rico a "floating island of garbage."
Israeli lawmakers passed two laws on Monday that could threaten the work of the main U.N. agency providing aid to people in Gaza by barring it from operating on Israeli soil, severing ties with it and labeling it a terror organization.
More than 200,000 people have cancelled subscriptions to The Washington Post since the newspaper announced its decision last week not to endorse a candidate for president, a published report said Monday.
Nikki Haley received more Republican primary votes than anyone who challenged Donald Trump for this year's presidential nomination. She has said she's voting for him, and she released her delegates so they could support him at the Republican National Convention
An actor known for his roles in the television comedies 鈥淏ob's Burgers鈥 and 鈥淎rrested Development鈥 was sentenced on Monday to one year in prison for his part in a mob's attack on the U.S. Capitol nearly four years ago.
A growing number of Liberal caucus members are calling for a secret ballot vote to decide whether Justin Trudeau should step down as party leader.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says if his party forms government, it will scrap the federal sales tax on new homes sold for less than $1 million and push provinces to do the same.
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission has granted Google a five-year exemption from the Online News Act, ordering it to pay $100 million to Canadian news outlets within 60 days.
Transplant experts are seeing a spike in people revoking organ donor registrations, their confidence shaken by reports that organs were nearly retrieved from a Kentucky man mistakenly declared dead.
Ottawa said it will not challenge a Quebec law that allows people to request medical assistance in dying (MAID) in advance.
Canadian doctors are calling for employers and schools not to require sick notes when it comes to short-term minor illnesses.
An investigation by French newspaper Le Monde found that the highly confidential movements of U.S. President Joe Biden, presidential rivals Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, and other world leaders can be easily tracked online through a fitness app that their bodyguards use.
A British man who used artificial intelligence to create images of child abuse was sent to prison for 18 years on Monday.
Renowned Canadian author Margaret Atwood, who is currently writing her memoir, said in an interview that she is too old to be worried about the rise of artificial intelligence and described herself as still having a 'good time' writing.
Adele and Celine Dion were each brought to tears after an emotional interaction during Adele's concert at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.
Colin Farrell took time out from his acting schedule on Sunday to complete the Dublin Marathon 鈥 while pushing an old friend in a wheelchair.
Victor Garber got teary-eyed when he walked into a brunch in his honour Sunday in London, Ont.
Cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike said on Monday it sued Delta Air Lines in U.S. District Court in Georgia after a faulty software update prompted a global outage in July.
Volkswagen has informed employee representatives that it wants to close at least three plants in Germany, the head of the company's works council said Monday.
American Airlines is testing a new technology at three airports across the U.S. during the boarding process that aims to cut down on passengers who try to cut the line.
Prince William has opened up about how a powerful childhood experience with his brother and late mother helped shape his work in combatting homelessness.
A sense of urgency has been growing after the role of women emerged as a dominant theme when Catholics from across the globe were canvassed for their views ahead of a meeting of bishops and lay people 鈥 a synod 鈥 which formally concluded Sunday.
One bar in Tokyo has been trying to reintroduce to locals and visitors alike a taste of doburoku, one of the oldest and most controversial drinks in Japanese history.
The Edmonton Oilers, who gave up three goals on six shots at Nationwide Arena, and trailed the Columbus Blue Jackets 3-0 after the first period, had more things to worry about than making a comeback on Monday night.
Manchester City midfielder Rodri wins the men's Ballon d'Or award for the world鈥檚 best soccer player.
Another day, another chance for the Winnipeg Jets to extend their season opening winning streak.
Volkswagen has informed employee representatives that it wants to close at least three plants in Germany, the head of the company's works council said Monday.
A 17-year-old Ottawa driver was caught speeding nearly 90 km/h over the speed limit on Highway 417.
Based on initial appearances, there are signs indicating the automobile industry is in healthy shape 鈥 for now.
Epcor says it has removed more than 20,000 goldfish from an Edmonton stormwater pond.
Witches and warlocks have been flocking to New Brunswick waterways this month, as a new Halloween tradition ripples across the province.
New Brunswicker Jillea Godin鈥檚 elaborate cosplay pieces attract thousands to her online accounts, as well as requests from celebrities for their own pieces.
A new resident at a Manitoba animal rescue has waddled her way into people's hearts.
Hundreds of people ran to the music of German composer and pianist Beethoven Wednesday night in a unique race in Halifax.
He is a familiar face to residents of a neighbourhood just west of Roncesvalles Avenue.
A meteor lit up our region's sky last night 鈥 with a large fireball shooting across the horizon over Lake Erie at around 7:00 p.m.
Residents of Ottawa's Rideauview neighbourhood say an aggressive wild turkey has become a problem.
A man who lost his life while trying to rescue people from floodwaters, and a 13-year-old boy who saved his family from a dog attack, are among the Nova Scotians who received a medal for bravery Tuesday.
Incumbent B.C. Premier David Eby鈥檚 NDP appears poised to win the province鈥檚 nail-biting 2024 election 鈥 and could potentially retain the party鈥檚 majority, by the narrowest of margins.
It鈥檚 time to kiss goodnight to cruise ship season in Vancouver. And what a season it鈥檚 been鈥攚ith a record 1.32 million passengers coming through.
Langley RCMP have confirmed the grey Dodge Grand Caravan that a missing 82-year-old woman was last seen driving, was found on a remote service road, far from where she lives.
The TTC is sharing details about how it plans to cope with the massive influx of Taylor Swift fans into Toronto鈥檚 core during the superstar鈥檚 six-show stay in the city.
A 31-year-old man died in hospital over the weekend after being found critically injured in an underground parking garage in North York late last week.
An 'iconic' gorilla that has lived at the Toronto Zoo since it first opened in 1974 is experiencing health issues and will be kept from the public as he receives treatment.
Nearly a decade after Anthony Heffernan was fatally shot by a police officer inside a northeast Calgary hotel room, his family continues to fight for accountability.
The Alberta government introduced its promised amendment to the provincial Bill of Rights on the first day of the legislature's fall sitting on Monday, a move Premier Danielle Smith said will "strengthen" human rights protections and "ensure our province remains one of the freest societies in the world."
A provincial income tax cut could be coming for Albertans, along with a reprieve at the pumps, in connection with the price of oil.
Grief counsellors are at Perth and District Collegiate Institute in Perth, Ont. today, as family, friends and the community mourn the death of 15-year-old Reese Stanzel.
Some of the people who knew Brkti Berhe, the woman killed in an Ottawa park in what police have said was femicide, are remembering her as a devoted wife, loving mother, and pillar of the community.
Suspended Ottawa lawyer James Bowie has been ordered to pay $235,000 in damages to a former client after he repeatedly suggested she pay for his legal services with oral sex and released personal details about her online after the allegations were reported by 愛污传媒 Ottawa.
A new study suggests Montrealers are going downtown less often with four in 10 saying they go less often than before the pandemic.
Montreal's mayor says a welcome sign depicting a woman wearing a veil that adorns a lobby at city hall will be taken down in the name of secularism.
Ottawa said it will not challenge a Quebec law that allows people to request medical assistance in dying (MAID) in advance.
Edmonton Police Service (EPS) has dismantled one of the 鈥榤ost elaborate encampments鈥 officers have ever seen.
The Edmonton Oilers, who gave up three goals on six shots at Nationwide Arena, and trailed the Columbus Blue Jackets 3-0 after the first period, had more things to worry about than making a comeback on Monday night.
The Alberta government introduced its promised amendment to the provincial Bill of Rights on the first day of the legislature's fall sitting on Monday, a move Premier Danielle Smith said will "strengthen" human rights protections and "ensure our province remains one of the freest societies in the world."
A group of Cape Breton firefighters are apologizing after four people showed up at a Halloween dance dressed in what appeared to be Ku Klux Klan costumes.
The Saint John Police Force is asking for the public鈥檚 help in locating a man wanted on a Canada-wide warrant in connection with a shooting incident in the city over the weekend.
Halifax Regional Police is investigating two break-and-enters in parking garages early Sunday morning.
An assault on a woman at a University of Manitoba dorm room has left students on edge.
A Winnipeg woman is recovering after being run over by her own vehicle during a carjacking this weekend.
Manitoba's chief electoral officer is calling for a legal crackdown on disinformation about provincial elections, including the conduct of election officials and electronic vote-counting machines.
Candidates across Saskatchewan have made their final pitches to potential voters as the 2024 campaign comes to a close and election day arrives.
With multiple polls suggesting a tight race to the finish for Saskatchewan's major political parties 鈥 here are the ridings where some extra attention may be required.
Election day has arrived in Saskatchewan. With it, the last wave of voters prepare to cast their ballots and decide who will form government in the province.
What role does ideology play in the sentencing of the man who pleaded guilty to four charges in an attack at the University of Waterloo?
The Guelph Police Service is planning to dedicate more resources to ensuring public safety in the city鈥檚 downtown area as part of an ongoing initiative.
After 14 years of repairing and selling bicycles out of the garage of her home, a Guelph, Ont. woman鈥檚 efforts have ended 鈥 for now, at least.
Candidates across Saskatchewan have made their final pitches to potential voters as the 2024 campaign comes to a close and election day arrives.
This provincial election is shaping up to be a nail biter, with data heading into today鈥檚 election showing the two front runners neck and neck.
With multiple polls suggesting a tight race to the finish for Saskatchewan's major political parties 鈥 here are the ridings where some extra attention may be required.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford in Sudbury on Monday afternoon to make an infrastructure funding announcement at a wastewater facility.
A landlord in Sault Ste. Marie discriminated against a man who is deaf and has limited sight, the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal has ruled.
Two people were busted in Nipissing First Nation trying to use fake money to buy machinery, Anishinabek Police Service says.
South Bruce residents narrowly voted in favour of plans to bury Canada鈥檚 most radioactive nuclear waste under their municipality on Monday.
An Oxford County retirement residence at the centre of a fraud investigation has announced it will be closing its doors next month, leaving residents and their families with just a couple of weeks to find alternate accommodations.
A pickup truck and car collided in the Huron County village of Nile this afternoon, sending as many as five people to hospital.
A Midland senior has resorted to living in her shed out of desperation
Ontario鈥檚 Special Investigation Unit has not confirmed the identities of three people found dead inside a home in Huntsville as the community is left reeling.
Marred by several delays, the trial of alleged human traffickers Lauriston and Amber Maloney finally got underway on Monday in a Bradford courtroom, with a woman who worked and lived with the couple testifying.
Windsor police officers are asking for the public鈥檚 help to identify two suspects related to the death of a 69-year-old man in south-central Windsor.
A new study estimates $14 billion in milk has 鈥渄isappeared鈥 from Canada between 2012 and 2021.
With more and more people turning to food banks for help, operators in Windsor-Essex are looking for a government intervention.
Incumbent B.C. Premier David Eby鈥檚 NDP appears poised to win the province鈥檚 nail-biting 2024 election 鈥 and could potentially retain the party鈥檚 majority, by the narrowest of margins.
Mounties are investigating after the remains of at least one person were found following a house fire on Vancouver Island on Monday morning.
The last of three recounts in British Columbia's closely contested provincial election has concluded with B.C. NDP candidate Dana Lajeunesse still leading in the Juan de Fuca-Malahat riding.
More than two years after Alannah Brown and Douglas Barker were found dead north of Penticton, police are asking for help identifying a vehicle they believe was associated with the crime.
Dave Lindsey began growing giant pumpkins to bring a bit of magic to his grandkids' Halloween.
A U.S. District Court judge in Montana has sentenced a 27-year-old man from Kelowna, B.C., to 18 months in prison for using fake names to buy guns with the aim of selling them in Canada.
Food Banks Canada's annual Hunger Count report shows more Canadians than ever are resorting to food banks.
RCMP say a Medicine Hat man was killed in a collision between an SUV and a motorcycle in southeast Alberta on Sunday evening.
A tentative agreement has been reached between the City of Lethbridge and more than 900 employees belonging to CUPE Local 70.
A Sault Ste. Marie woman had a close encounter this weekend with a group of coyotes -- and her small dog just narrowly escaped serious injury.
A seminar took place Monday in North Bay with law enforcement agencies, traffic experts and other community partners looking to try and end impaired driving.
A landlord in Sault Ste. Marie discriminated against a man who is deaf and has limited sight, the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal has ruled.
Teams are facing off in a new eastern Newfoundland hockey league aiming to bring competitive play 鈥 and a few extra years on the ice 鈥 for young women in the province.
Investigators found the remains of a 77-year-old American man on Wednesday at the scene of a fire that destroyed a hotel in western Newfoundland earlier on the weekend.
Police in western Newfoundland say a 77-year-old man visiting the province from Kansas is missing after a fire at a hotel in Deer Lake, N.L.
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at 愛污传媒. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop.聽Read about us.
