Republished with full copyright permissions from The Washington Daily Chronicle.

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Hamas released a recent video featuring Hersh Goldberg-Polin, the Israeli-American hostage, providing the first strong evidence of his survival following severe injuries sustained during his capture on October 7, 2023.

The undated footage reveals Goldberg-Polin seated, with part of his left arm missing due to injuries from the previous year’s attack. While the video’s exact date is unverified, it was shared via the same social media platform used by Hamas to distribute propaganda materials, including hostage footage.

Addressing the camera, Goldberg-Polin identifies himself and delivers a statement, indicating that he has been in captivity for nearly 200 days, a likely reference to the 200th day of the conflict.

Goldberg-Polin, 23 at the time of his abduction, was taken during the Nova music festival amidst the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, which resulted in numerous casualties and the capture of over 200 individuals. Notably, Hamas has been designated a terrorist organization by the U.S. and Israel, and Goldberg-Polin is one of eight Americans believed to be held in Gaza.

Approximately 100 individuals are thought to still be held captive in Gaza out of the initial count of 240 hostages. While the fate of the remaining captives is uncertain, Goldberg-Polin noted in the video that around 70 hostages may have perished in Israeli airstrikes.

Expressing sentiments aligned with Hamas, Goldberg-Polin criticized the Israeli government, specifically calling out Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for failing to provide necessary treatment and humane conditions for captives. His remarks mirror those of other Israeli hostages featured in Hamas propaganda videos.

Additionally, Rachel Goldberg-Polin, the captive’s mother, has gained recognition for her advocacy on behalf of hostages and their families. She has been recognized as one of TIME’s most influential people for her unwavering efforts, asserting, “Hope is mandatory.”

Towards the video’s conclusion, Goldberg-Polin addressed his family with a heartfelt message expressing love, gratitude, and a plea for their strength during this challenging time.