Who is Hersh Golberg-Polin? The American-Israeli Citizen Who Disappeared After Hamas Attack

Hersh Golberg-Polin is a 23-year-old American-Israeli citizen who was attending a music festival in the Negev desert when Hamas militants launched a surprise attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. He has not been heard from since he sent two chilling text messages to his parents: “I love you” and “I’m sorry”. His family and friends are desperately searching for him and hoping for his safe return.

A dual citizen with a passion for music and travel

Hersh was born in Berkeley, California, to Jonathon Polin and Rachel Golberg, who are both Jewish. He moved to Israel with his family when he was seven years old, in 2008. He has two sisters, aged 20 and 17. He grew up in Modi’in, a city in central Israel, where he attended a bilingual school and learned Hebrew and English. He also spoke some Arabic and Spanish.

Hersh Golberg-Polin was interested in music from a young age. He played the guitar and the piano, and composed his own songs. He also loved to travel and explore different cultures. He visited India, Thailand, Nepal, and Turkey with his family and friends. He planned to go back to India after finishing his army service, which he completed at the end of April 2023.

Hersh served in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) for three years, as part of his mandatory military duty. He drove tanks in the 7th Armored Brigade and later trained to become a medic. He was praised by his commanders for his bravery and professionalism. He also volunteered as a first responder for Magen David Adom, Israel’s national emergency medical service.

After his army service, Hersh worked as a medic and a waiter, saving money for his trip to India. He also enrolled in an online course on computer science, hoping to pursue a career in technology. He was passionate about learning new skills and expanding his horizons.

Hersh Golberg-Polin Wiki

A tragic turn of events at a music festival

On Friday night, October 6, 2023, Hersh left his family in Modi’in and headed to the Nature Party, a music festival in the south of Israel, near Kibbutz Re’im. He was celebrating his birthday, which was on October 4, and his release from the army. He joined thousands of young people who gathered at the festival to enjoy live music, dancing, and camping.

The next morning, October 7, 2023, Hamas launched Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, a massive surprise attack on Israel from Gaza. The Palestinian militant group fired thousands of rockets into southern Israel, killing dozens of civilians and causing widespread damage. Some of the rockets landed near the music festival, creating panic and chaos among the attendees.

But the rockets were not the only threat. Hamas also sent hundreds of gunmen across the border through tunnels and breaches in the security fence. They stormed the music festival and opened fire at random, killing hundreds of people and taking many others hostage. Some of the hostages were dragged into Gaza through the tunnels.

Hersh Golberg-Polin was among those who were caught in the crossfire. He managed to send two text messages to his parents before becoming unreachable: “I love you” and “I’m sorry”. His parents tried to call him back, but there was no answer. They feared the worst.

A desperate search for a missing son

Since then, Hersh’s family has been trying to find out what happened to him. They contacted the Israeli authorities, the US embassy, the Red Cross, and anyone who might have information about his whereabouts. They also reached out to his friends who were at the festival with him. Some of them survived the attack and returned home safely. Others were injured or killed.

Hersh Golberg-Polin’s family also launched a social media campaign to raise awareness about his case and appeal for help. They posted photos and videos of him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok, using the hashtag #BringHershHome. They received messages of support and solidarity from people around the world.

“We just want him home and safe,” Jonathon Polin told The Jerusalem Post. “We love you. Come home to us.”

Rachel Golberg told The Daily Beast that she still had hope that her son was alive. “He’s strong. He’s smart. He’s resourceful. He knows how to survive,” she said.

Hersh’s grandmother Leah Polin told The New York Times that she prayed for him every day. “He’s such a sweet boy. He has so much to live for,” she said.

A glimmer of hope amid uncertainty

The fate of Golberg-Polin and the other hostages remains unknown. Hamas has not released any official statement or demand regarding them. Israel has accused Hamas of using them as human shields and bargaining chips. The US has condemned Hamas for its “barbaric” attack and called for the immediate and unconditional release of the hostages.

The Israeli military has launched a series of airstrikes on Gaza, targeting Hamas’s infrastructure, weapons, and leaders. The Palestinian authorities have reported hundreds of casualties and widespread destruction in the besieged enclave. The UN has warned of a humanitarian crisis and urged both sides to cease fire and resume negotiations.

Meanwhile, efforts are underway to locate and rescue the hostages. Israel has deployed special forces and intelligence agents to search for them. The US has offered its assistance and cooperation. The Red Cross has tried to establish contact with Hamas and facilitate humanitarian access.

There have been some reports of possible sightings and communications from the hostages. A video circulated online showed a man who resembled Hersh Golberg-Polin being held at gunpoint by a masked Hamas fighter. A voice message attributed to him was also broadcast on a Hamas radio station, saying that he was alive and well, but asking for help. However, these reports have not been verified or confirmed by any official source.

Hersh’s family and friends are holding on to any glimmer of hope that he is still alive and that he will be freed soon. They are also appealing to the international community to intervene and pressure Hamas to release him and the other hostages.

“We are not giving up on him. We are not giving up on anyone,” Jonathon Polin said.

Trivia

• Hersh Golberg-Polin moved to Israel with his family when he was seven years old, in 2008.
• He served in the IDF for three years, driving tanks and training as a medic.
• He planned to go back to India after finishing his army service, which he completed at the end of April 2023.
• He sent two text messages to his parents before becoming unreachable: “I love you” and “I’m sorry”.
• His family launched a social media campaign to raise awareness about his case and appeal for help, using the hashtag #BringHershHome.
• Hamas has not released any official statement or demand regarding him and the other hostages.
• Israel has launched a series of airstrikes on Gaza, targeting Hamas’s infrastructure, weapons, and leaders.
• Efforts are underway to locate and rescue the hostages, involving Israel, the US, the Red Cross, and the UN.