Hamas releases video of hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin proving he survived October 7 injuries

Editor’s note: Warning: This story contains a graphic image.

Hamas released a video of Israeli-American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin on Wednesday, the first evidence that he survived his serious injuries during his capture on October 7.

Goldberg-Polin, then 23, was kidnapped from the Nova music festival during the Hamas attacks on Israel, in which more than 1,200 people died and more than 200 people were taken hostage.

He is shown in the undated video with part of his left arm missing several inches above the hand.

A video filmed on October 7 showed Goldberg-Polin seriously injured in the arm. A first-hand account from a young woman, who was in a bunker with him when Hamas attacked, said he helped throw grenades, before her arm was torn off from the elbow down.

The final video shows Goldberg-Polin sitting in a chair, speaking to the camera. Sometimes gesturing with his injured arm, he identifies himself and gives his date of birth and the names of his parents.

He says he’s been “here for almost 200 days”, suggesting the video was filmed shortly before Tuesday, the 200th day of the war.

Goldberg-Polin’s hair is cut short in the video, which is edited with a number of cuts ranging from wide shots to close-ups.

He criticizes the Israeli government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as have other Israeli hostages in Hamas propaganda videos. Held captive in Gaza for six months, he is certainly speaking under duress.

It mentions Israeli government ministers sitting at the table for celebratory dinners with their families, an apparent reference to the Jewish holiday of Passover, which begins Monday evening and is traditionally celebrated with a family dinner.

He urges his own family to stay strong for him and ends by saying that he hopes he was able to bring them some comfort during the holidays.

Goldberg-Polin is one of the most recognizable 129 hostages remaining in Gaza. Banners and murals are displayed in Jerusalem, saying, “Bring Hersh home,” and his parents, Rachel and Jonathan, meet regularly with senior U.S. officials in Washington to advocate for the hostages’ cause.

Of the 129 October 7 hostages still held in Gaza, the Israeli government estimates that 33 are dead.

The Forum for Families of Hostages and Missing Persons said “Goldberg-Polin’s distressing video constitutes an urgent call for swift and decisive action to resolve this horrific humanitarian crisis and ensure the safe return of our loved ones.” .

“Hersh’s cry is the collective cry of all the hostages: their time is running out. With each passing day, the fear of losing more innocent lives grows stronger,” the group said in a statement.

“All hostages must be returned home – those who are alive to begin the rehabilitation process, and those who are murdered for a dignified burial. »

Rachel Goldberg-Polin, Hersh’s mother, has been campaigning for her son’s release for six months. She told CNN in January that she carried a piece of tape marking each day since Hersh was kidnapped by Hamas fighters.

Hersh, 23, was about to leave on a world tour he had planned. On December 27, when he was scheduled to leave, his mother went to the airport with friends and handed out Hersh stickers to passengers on his flight, asking them to send photos of the places they were visiting .

This story has been updated with other developments.

For more CNN news and newsletters, create an account at CNN.com