Kidnapping and killing of Hersh Goldberg-Polin

Kidnapping and killing of Hersh Goldberg-Polin
Part of the 7 October Hamas-led attack on Israel
LocationKidnapping: Eshkol Regional Council, Israel
Body found: a Hamas tunnel in Rafah
DateKidnapping: 7 October 2023; 13 months ago (2023-10-07)
Killing: 29 or 30 August 2024; 2 months ago (2024-08-30)
Attack type
Kidnapping, killing
VictimHersh Goldberg-Polin, aged 23
PerpetratorHamas
ChargesTerrorism, conspiracy to murder US nationals, and conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction resulting in death filed against five Hamas leaders (plus one deceased leader) by United States Department of Justice[1]

As part of the Hamas-led attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, 23-year-old American-Israeli Hersh Goldberg-Polin (Hebrew: הרש גולדברג-פולין) was wounded and abducted by Hamas during the Re'im music festival massacre. He was held hostage for almost 11 months, until his body was recovered from a tunnel in Rafah in the Gaza Strip on 31 August 2024.[2][3]

It was later revealed that Goldberg-Polin and five other hostages with him were executed by Hamas.[4] His autopsy indicated he was likely shot from "close range" 1–2 days before his body was found.[5]

  1. ^ Rabinowitz, Hannah; Lybrand, Holmes; Perez, Evan (3 September 2024). "US prosecutors charge Hamas leaders in October 7 attack". CNN.
  2. ^ "Family confirms death of Israeli-American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin". AP News. 1 September 2024. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  3. ^ "Statement from President Biden on Hersh Goldberg-Polin". The White House. 1 September 2024. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  4. ^ Edwards, Christian (3 September 2024). "Hamas' brutal new tactics signal new phase in war and hostage crisis". CNN. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
  5. ^ Fabian, Emanuel (1 September 2024). "Autopsy finds 6 hostages were shot multiple times at close range in last 48-72 hours". The Times of Israel. ISSN 0040-7909.