Note: The video in the player above is from a previous report on Hersh Goldberg-Polin.
Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an American-Israeli citizen with Chicago ties who was kidnapped during the Hamas terrorist attack in Israel on October 7has died, his family announced late Saturday.
“With broken hearts, the Goldberg-Polin family is devastated to announce the death of their beloved son and brother, Hersh,” the family said in a statement through a spokesperson. “The family thanks you all for your love and support and asks for privacy at this time.”
Hersh, 23, was on Tribe of Nova music festival when Hamas launched its attack from nearby Gaza.
Most recently, his parents, Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg, who are originally from the Chicago area, made an emotional plea for their son to return to the Democratic National Convention.
They described Hersh seeking safety in a small bomb shelter when the October 7 attack began on the Tribe of Nova music festival, before his left forearm was blown off by a shell and he was taken to Gaza.
“Since then, we’ve been living on a different planet,” Goldberg said. “Anyone who is a parent or has had a parent can try to imagine the anguish and misery that Jon and I and all hostage families are going through.”
“Hersh, if you can hear us, we love you,” said Rachel Goldberg and Jon Polin, parents of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who was kidnapped by Hamas on October 7.
In April, Hamas released a hostage video showing Hersh – the first sign that he was alive since his capture.
In the video, Hersh was missing part of his left arm.
Witnesses previously said he lost it when attackers threw grenades into a shelter where people had taken refuge. He had tied a stamp around it before being bundled into the truck by Hamas.
Goldberg-Polin is one of the most recognized prisoners. Posters with his image are posted all over Israel. His mother, Rachel Goldberg, met world leaders and addressed the United Nations.