Israel's Head of State Issues Sincere Apology for Hamas Captive's Funeral Mishap
Herzog spoke directly to Goldberg-Polin's parents, saying, "I want to express how deeply regretful I am. How deeply regretful I am that we failed to safeguard Hersh on that fateful day."
On Sunday, Israeli authorities reported the demise of the 23-year-old and five other captives who had been taken during the Hamas-led radical Islamic attack on Israel on October 7. The remains were discovered in a tunnel in Rafah, situated in the southern Gaza Strip, on Saturday. As per the Israeli Ministry of Health, the four men and two women lost their lives due to multiple gunshots fired at close range, roughly 48 to 72 hours prior to the postmortem examination conducted on Sunday.
Over 2,000 individuals attended Goldberg-Polin's funeral on Monday, escorting him from his residence to the cemetery with Israeli flags. Some mourners donned t-shirts displaying Goldberg-Polin's facial image.
Goldberg-Polin's tragedy also touched people in the United States, where his parents spoke at the Democratic Party convention last month. American President Joe Biden expressed his "shattered and enraged" state over Goldberg-Polin's demise on Sunday, swearing that "Hamas leaders" will be held accountable for these atrocities.
The news of the six captives' demise elicited significant sorrow and rage toward the government for failing to reach a truce agreement and secure the hostages' release in Israel. Numerous individuals joined a nationwide strike on Monday to advocate for a hostage agreement, but it was curtailed prematurely by a court order on request from far-right minister Bezalel Smotrich.
In response to Goldberg-Polin's tragic demise, his parents strongly condemned Hamas, stating, "We hold Hamas responsible for the loss of our beloved son, the Hamas hostage." Following the funeral, protesters demanded justice for all Hamas hostages, calling for a truce agreement and their safe release.
