Hersh Goldberg-Pollin He was one of hundreds of hostages taken by Hamas during the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. The 23-year-old Israeli-American was a resident detained by Israeli forces for more than 300 days before being killed by his captors in late August.
His parents, John Pollin and Rachel Goldberg Pollin, leading voice They told CBS News they continue to advocate for the roughly 100 people still held captive in the Gaza Strip, as efforts are being made to bring their son and other hostages home.
Hirsch was kidnapped by Hamas terrorists on October 7th during the Nova Music Festival, and about six months later, Hamas released a video of him alive. But his body was discovered by Israeli soldiers in August. along with five other hostagesinside a tunnel in Gaza.
His parents’ dignity and courage never wavered, even when they learned how Hamas had executed their son.
“His hand was hit by a bullet. … The gun was so close that the bullet was able to go through his hand, go through his neck and exit out the side of his head,” Rachel Goldberg-Polin said. Ta. “Then, we believe he fell down, and police put a gun to the back of his head. The exit wound from that shot was at the top of his head.”
She said her son weighed only 115 pounds when he was buried last month, even though he was nearly 6 feet tall. She said she didn’t necessarily want to know the gruesome details of her son’s death at first, but at the funeral she saw how small his body looked.
“First of all, I think it’s very important that people understand how these hostages are being kept and treated, because these 101 people are still out there. ” she said.
Jack Ghez/AFP via Getty Images
Goldberg and Pollins hold Hamas primarily responsible for their son’s death, but also say they feel Israel, America and even world leaders have failed them. .
“World leaders have a role to play, and I feel we have failed,” John Pollin said. “We have failed the leaders of Israel. We have failed all of the leaders of the world. And we hope that we can now turn this around.” Action must be taken… We sat and waited for the presidents, prime ministers, and foreign ministers of those countries to step onto the stage, link arms, and demand the liberation of their people. Please go. And it hasn’t happened yet. Perhaps they will use this as a fix. ”
He also stressed the need for a diplomatic solution to return those still detained.
“In 369 days, military operations have rescued seven hostages. Negotiated settlements have rescued more than 100 people. It’s clear what we have to do. The soldiers will come out. “We have 101 hostages, but most people understand that some kind of negotiated agreement is needed to rescue these people.” .
In their personal lives, the Goldberg-Polins are currently facing the heartbreak of adjusting to life without their son.
“I’m psychologically trapped in this place right now, and I’m afraid to look back or look back,” Rachel Goldberg-Pollin told CBS News. “And I’m scared to try to move on with my life without Harsh.
“We moved seats at the breakfast table,” she added. “So I sit where Harsh always sat because I didn’t want to see him not in his seat.”
“It’s very confusing right now because he was gone for such a long time before he was murdered,” she said. “But there was always a feeling, a feeling of hope and optimism that we would bring him home. We would bring him home.”
The couple remains focused on getting the remaining hostages home safely. but, war expandsthere appears to be little political will for negotiations on either side at this time. They hope that changes.
“I’m very hopeful that there is an opportunity within that expansion. I mean, whatever is happening in Lebanon, it’s scary for everyone. The whole region is on fire. Last week, Iran Will Israel retaliate by firing 180 ballistic missiles and whatever is going on? ” …Maybe there is room for everyone to say that things are not going well right now, I We are going to stop this,” said Rachel Goldberg Pollin.
The couple, who are both Orthodox Jews, say they have received tremendous support not only from the Jewish community but also from many Christians around the world. Despite the tragedy, both still find comfort in their faith.
“My faith in God has not diminished,” Rachel Goldberg-Palin said. “I trusted people because I felt they could do more.”
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