Families of hostages display graphic evidence of kidnapping in Gaza
During the Hamas ambush on October 7th, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Or Levy, and Elijah Cohen were violently abducted and taken to the Gaza Strip. The Families Forum posted a harrowing video detailing the inhumane treatment they endured. It's alleged that an Israeli soldier, Mohammed Alatrasch, aged 39 and leaving behind 13 children from two women, was killed during the Hamas attack and his body transferred to the Gaza Strip. The army verified his demise. The death toll from the brutal Hamas attack on Israel increased to 1195 confirmed casualties caused by Islamic militants.
The Families Forum also disseminated a video showcasing the capture of three more hostages on the day of the Hamas attack. The footage depicts Goldberg-Polin, Levy, and Cohen being forcefully seized by armed combatants, herded into a pick-up truck, and driven into the Gaza Strip. The video reveals Goldberg-Polin, covered in blood and missing his left arm.
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reacted to the video release, stating, "The brutal kidnapping of Hersh, Or, and Elijah shatters our hearts and further exposes the brutal nature of our adversaries, whose destruction we have vowed. We will not cease the war until we recover all our people."
"Trapped in a subterranean nightmare"
Hersh Goldberg-Polin, a 24-year-old Israeli, had previously appeared in a Hamas propaganda video in April. The abducted Israelis were kept in a "subterranean nightmare" without food, water, or medical attention, according to a hostage in a video released by the Hamas military wing, the so-called Qassam Brigades. He pleaded with the Israeli government for their safe return. Goldberg-Polin had attended the Nova Music Festival.
Israel's Defense Minister, Joav Gallant, stressed during a visit to the US that their government was relentlessly exerting efforts to secure the release of all Hamas hostages, without exception. Gallant met with the head of the US foreign intelligence agency, the CIA, Bill Burns, the primary US mediator in the negotiations for the hostages' release. Gallant also held talks with his US counterpart, Antony Blinken.
Biden's truce proposal unfulfilled
US President Joe Biden proposed a multi-phase plan for a truce in the Gaza Strip and the release of hostages at the end of May. The US, alongside Qatar and Egypt, have served as mediators for an agreement between Israel and Hamas for months, but to no avail.
Over 250 people were captured by Hamas and transported to the Gaza Strip, including women and children. Some have been released, while others remain captive. 116 hostages are still being held by Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups according to Israeli reports. 42 of them are believed to have perished, among them nine soldiers.
