Hamas releases video of an Israeli-American man held as a prisoner of war in the Gaza Strip during Israel's war on the enclave, sparking new protests calling for further action from the Israeli government to secure the prisoner's release. caused.
The video released by a Palestinian group on Wednesday shows Hersh Goldberg-Polin alive for the first time since October 7, when he was captured by Hamas-led fighters attending a Nova tribe music festival in southern Israel. It was a sign.
It appeared that part of his left arm was missing. Witnesses said the grenade was lost when the attackers threw it into a shelter where people were taking shelter. He was given a tourniquet before being stuffed into a truck by Hamas.
Although no date was listed in the video, Goldberg-Polin appeared to be referring to Passover, a weeklong Jewish holiday that begins Monday.
Qatar, one of the international mediators between Hamas and Israel to secure a ceasefire, released the video to the United States and Israel on Monday, two days before Hamas released it, sources said. He said he gave it to him. His US-based Axios news website.
Another source said the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden has asked the Qatari government several times for help obtaining proof of survival for Goldberg Pollin and other American prisoners.
Axios reported that the issue arose during a phone call between Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and senior White House officials.
Blame Prime Minister Netanyahu
Reporting from occupied East Jerusalem, Al Jazeera's Bernard Smith said in a nearly three-minute video of Goldberg-Pollin that he accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of not doing enough. It was his fault that we couldn't rescue him,'' he said.
Goldberg-Pollin also claimed that about 70 prisoners of war were killed in Israel's bombing campaign in Gaza.
“Of course, remember that when these videos are released, they are not speaking freely. They are told by their captors what they can and cannot say. They're being told what to do,” Smith said.
According to the footage, Goldberg-Pollin said he had been “underground” for about 200 days, so “there's no fixed time in the footage,” Smith said, adding that this kind of footage lasts about three months. He added that it was the first time.
In response to the video, the Hostage and Missing Families Forum, an organization representing prisoners of war and their families in Gaza, said “time is running out” to ensure the return of all prisoners. .
“With each passing day, fears grow that more innocent lives will be lost,” the group said in a statement.
“All hostages must be returned home, including those alive to begin the rehabilitation process and those killed for a dignified burial.
“This heartbreaking video is an urgent call for swift and decisive action to resolve this horrific humanitarian crisis and ensure the safe return of our loved ones.”
Protesters have taken to the streets in cities across Israel to demand that the Netanyahu government do more to bring back prisoners of war, and more recently to demand an end to the Gaza war and new elections in Israel. .
Goldberg Pollin is one of Hamas's most famous prisoners. Posters with his portrait are plastered all over Israel. His mother, Rachel Goldberg, has met with several world leaders and addressed the United Nations.
His parents said they were relieved to see him alive but worried for his health and well-being and that of the other captives.
“We are here today to plead with the leaders of all the political parties that have been negotiating,” said father John Pollin, naming Egypt, Israel, Qatar, the United States and Hamas. He mentioned and spoke.
“Let us be courageous, lean in and seize this moment to reunite all of us with our loved ones and forge a deal to end suffering in our region,” he said.
At least 34,262 Palestinians have been killed and 77,229 injured in Israeli attacks on Gaza since October 7. The October 7 Hamas attack left 1,139 people dead in Israel, with dozens still being held captive in Gaza.
