Rachel Goldberg-Polin, the mother of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an American held hostage by Hamas in Gaza, expresses her profound concern and urges creative solutions to end the crisis.
Mother of American Hostage Appeals for Son's Return: 'I'm Horribly Worried'
On a poignant Mother's Day, Rachel Goldberg-Polin, the mother of 23-year-old American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, held captive by Hamas militants in Gaza, voiced her heart-wrenching plea during an appearance on "Fox News Sunday." Expressing deep concern for her son and the 131 other hostages, she emphasized the urgent need for innovative strategies to resolve the protracted crisis.
"It's clear not enough is being done," stated Goldberg-Polin, highlighting the ongoing plight of innocent civilians held in captivity. She challenged the notion of U.S. neutrality in the conflict, asserting that America was also a victim of Hamas's October 7 attack that killed 45 Americans and led to the hostage-taking.
Goldberg-Polin lamented the lack of public awareness about the diverse composition of the hostage cohort, which includes individuals from various nationalities and religions. "There are a lot of people in that hostage cohort that we don't hear about," she said. "You very rarely hear about the Muslim Arabs, Thai Buddhists, Black Christian Africans, Nepalese, Mexicans, Argentinians, Germans who are being held hostage."
Questioned about the potential risks to hostages in the event of an Israeli invasion of Rafah, Goldberg-Polin expressed her unwavering concern for her son and all those held captive. "I'm a mother who is horribly, miserably worried about her only son who has been in an active war zone for 219 days," she declared.
The Israeli invasion of Rafah has raised concerns among international observers, who fear the potential humanitarian consequences for the hundreds of thousands of civilians who rely on the area as their last refuge. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has voiced opposition to a major military assault, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive exit strategy and a post-war governance plan.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
