“Seeing a video of Hersh today is overwhelming. We’re relieved to see him alive but we’re also concerned about his health and well-being as well as that of all of the other hostages and all of those suffering in this region,” his father, Jonathan Polin, said in a video message.
“We’re here today with a plea to all of the leaders of the parties who have been negotiating to date. That includes Qatar, Egypt, the United States, Hamas and Israel. Be brave, lean in, seize this moment and get a deal done …”
Around 250 Israelis and foreigners were taken hostage by the gunmen, who killed some 1,200 people, according to Israeli tallies, in the deadliest single attack in Israel’s history.
In response, Israel launched an assault on Gaza, pledging to destroy Hamas and bring the hostages home. The assault has so far killed more than 34,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities.
