Family confirms death of hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an Israeli American with Chicago roots

JERUSALEM — The family of Israeli-American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin says he has been killed in the Gaza Strip.

The family issued a statement early Sunday, hours after the Israeli army said it had located bodies in Gaza.

“With broken hearts, the Goldberg-Polin family is devastated to announce the death of their beloved son and brother, Hersh,” it said. “The family thanks you all for your love and support and asks for privacy at this time.”

Goldberg-Polin was one of the best-known hostages as his parents, Chicago natives, had met with world leaders and pressed relentlessly for their help.

On Aug. 21, Chicago natives Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg were greeted at the Democratic National Convention in the United Center by a minute-long standing ovation and chants of “bring them home.”

“Hersh is a happy-go-lucky, laid back, good humored, respectful and curious person,” Goldberg said. “He is a civilian. He loves soccer, is wild about music and music festivals, and he has been obsessed with geography and travel since he was a little boy.

“Hersh, if you can hear us, we love you, stay strong, survive,” she said.

Polin and Goldberg wore stickers with the number 320, drawing attention to the number of days their son had been held. Earlier this year, Goldberg was named by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people of 2024.

Their son was taken hostage by Hamas during the militant group’s Oct. 7 attack on Israel. The 23-year-old was attending the Nova Music Festival with his friend Aner Shapira, who was killed in the attack while they were taking cover from rockets and grenades in a small bomb shelter with a couple dozen other festival goers.

“Hersh’s left forearm, his dominant arm, was blown off before he was loaded onto a pickup truck and stolen from his life, and me and Jon, into Gaza,” Goldberg said. “And that was 320 days ago. Since then, we live on another planet. Anyone who is a parent or has had a parent can try to imagine the anguish and misery that Jon and I, and all the hostage families are enduring.”

President Joe Biden, in a statement Saturday, said: "I am devastated and outraged. Hersh was among the innocents brutally attacked while attending a music festival for peace in Israel on October 7. He lost his arm helping friends and strangers during Hamas’ savage massacre. He had just turned 23. He planned to travel the world.

"I have gotten to know his parents, Jon and Rachel. They have been courageous, wise, and steadfast, even as they have endured the unimaginable. They have been relentless and irrepressible champions of their son and of all the hostages held in unconscionable conditions. I admire them and grieve with them more deeply than words can express. I know all Americans tonight will have them in their prayers, just as Jill and I will. I have worked tirelessly to bring their beloved Hersh safely to them and am heartbroken by the news of his death. It is as tragic as it is reprehensible. Make no mistake, Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes. And we will keep working around the clock for a deal to secure the release of the remaining hostages."

Goldberg, her son and her husband are dual American-Israeli citizens. Polin grew up in West Rogers Park and Skokie, while Goldberg grew up in Streeterville. The family moved to Jerusalem in 2008 and still have family in Chicago.

A Hamas-issued video in April showing Goldberg-Polin clearly speaking under duress sparked new protests in Israel urging the government to do more to secure his and others’ freedom.

The announcement is certain to put pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reach a deal to bring home remaining hostages. The Israeli leader has said military pressure is needed to win their release as cease-fire efforts falter.

Before Israel’s announcement, Israel said it believed 108 hostages were still held in Gaza and about one-third of them were dead.