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Edited by: Fern Sidman
The discovery of six bodies in a tunnel beneath Gaza on Saturday has sent shockwaves through Israel and the global community, as it was confirmed that these were hostages brutally kidnapped by Hamas during the devastating October 7 attack. Among the dead was Hersh Goldberg-Polin, a 23-year-old Israeli-American who had been attending the Supernova music festival in Israel when the nightmare began. The tragic news was confirmed by President Joe Biden, who expressed both grief and anger at the senseless loss of life.
Hersh Goldberg-Polin’s story is one of bravery in the face of unimaginable horror. According to a report on Saturday in The New York Post, on October 7th, he was among those attending the Supernova music festival in southern Israel, a gathering intended to celebrate peace and unity that happened to fall out on the holiday of Simchat Torah. But the festival turned into a scene of terror when Hamas launched a brutal attack, killing and kidnapping scores of attendees.
During the chaotic assault, Hersh’s arm was “blown off” by a grenade, according to his mother, before he was forcibly taken by Hamas terrorists. Severely injured, he was loaded onto a pickup truck and transported into Gaza, a captive in a conflict that has seen no shortage of human suffering, The Post report said. Hersh’s capture, and the brutality he endured, became emblematic of the wider hostage crisis that has gripped Israel and the international community.
In April 2024, a video issued by Hamas surfaced, featuring Hersh. The footage showed him looking gaunt, his appearance a stark contrast to the vibrant young man he was before the attack. Clearly speaking under duress, the video was a chilling reminder of the conditions under which the hostages were being held, and it sparked renewed calls for their release.
Hersh Goldberg-Polin, a young man described by his parents as a lover of music and soccer, had plans to attend university after completing his military service. His life, full of promise and potential, has been cruelly interrupted by forces beyond his control, and his family’s pain is shared by countless others who find themselves in similar situations.
President Biden, in a heartfelt statement, conveyed the sorrow felt by many: “I am devastated and outraged. Hersh was among the innocents brutally attacked while attending a music festival for peace in Israel on October 7. He lost his arm helping friends and strangers during Hamas’ savage massacre. Make no mistake, Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes.”
As per the report in The Post, the Goldberg-Polin family, stricken with grief, released a statement confirming Hersh’s death. “With broken hearts, the Goldberg-Polin family is devastated to announce the death of their beloved son and brother, Hersh. The family thanks you all for your love and support and asks for privacy at this time.”
The other victims found alongside Hersh were identified by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) as Ori Danino, 25; Eden Yerushalmi, 24; Almog Sarusi, 27; Alexander Lobanov, 33; and Carmel Gat, 40. Each of these individuals had their own tragic stories, marked by the cruelty of their captors and the pain of their loss.
Ori Danino, like Hersh, managed to escape the initial assault at the music festival but was abducted when he returned to rescue three of his friends, who were also kidnapped, as was indicated in The Post report. His bravery, like Hersh’s, is a testament to the courage exhibited by many on that dark day.
Eden Yerushalmi was celebrating her 24th birthday when she was first taken captive. Her story, like that of the other hostages, reflects the cruel irony of being targeted on what should have been a day of celebration and joy.
The Post report also confirmed that Carmel Gat, 40, the oldest among the victims, was abducted from the nearby farming community of Be’eri, highlighting the widespread impact of the Hamas attack, which extended beyond the festival grounds to nearby communities.
Before the discovery of the bodies, Israel estimated that 108 hostages remained in Gaza, the majority of whom are Israeli citizens, including dual nationals. However, The Post report said that officials now believe that about one-third of the hostages may already be dead, a grim statistic that adds urgency to the calls for a resolution.
Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, the Israeli military spokesperson, revealed that these hostages were “cruelly murdered shortly before we were to rescue them,” according to the information provided in The Post report.
The fact that these hostages were found in a tunnel under the city of Rafah, a known Hamas stronghold, further highlights the dangers posed by Hamas’ entrenched presence in Gaza. These tunnels, often used for smuggling and surprise attacks, have become symbols of the ongoing conflict and the severe challenges faced by Israeli forces in their efforts to rescue hostages and neutralize threats.
In the midst of one of the most harrowing events in recent Israeli history, the story of Eden Yerushalmi stands out as a stark reminder of the human cost of conflict. Eden was among the many young people attending the Supernova music festival on October 7th. The Post report indicated that for four hours, Eden managed to stay connected with her family, running for her life while trying to evade her captors. But as the terrorists closed in, Eden’s final words to her sister would haunt her family forever: “Shani, they caught me, they caught me. Find me. Okay?”
These words were the last her family would hear from her, marking the beginning of an agonizing wait for news that has only grown more unbearable with time.
Just ten days before this tragic discovery, the parents of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, appeared at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. There, they delivered an emotional speech that highlighted the personal and humanitarian stakes of the ongoing crisis. “This is a political convention. But needing our only son — and all of the cherished hostages — home is not a political issue. It is a humanitarian issue,” said Jon Polin, Hersh’s father, as was reported by The Post.
Rachel Goldberg-Polin, Hersh’s mother, spoke directly to her son, her voice filled with the agony and love of a parent desperate to bring her child home. “Hersh, if you can hear us, we love you, stay strong, survive,” she said. Her words met with a standing ovation from the convention audience.
The Goldberg-Polins have not confined their efforts to public speeches alone. They have met with world leaders, including President Joe Biden and Pope Francis, and addressed the United Nations as part of their relentless mission to rescue their son, The Post report revealed. Their campaign has underscored the universal nature of their plea: the safe return of their son is not just an Israeli concern, but a humanitarian imperative that transcends politics and borders.
