This is Hersh Goldberg-Polin; a 23-year-old kidnapped on October 7 by Hamas. His body was found in early September by the Israeli army along with the bodies of five other hostages.
They were held for almost a year in captivity in a tunnel in Gaza. The entrance to the tunnel is through a child's room—the passage is 65 feet deep and nearly 400 feet long.
We know that between two to six terrorists wew here with the hostages. We're gathering all the stuff here for forensics, for intelligence. We can see magazines and AK-47 magazine chargers all used by the terrorists. Quran books, a hair brush. We need to check who used it but there were women here in the tunnel.
The news of Hersh's death reached Francis' ears. During the Angelus prayer, the Pope expressed his condolences to his mother, Rachel.
POPE FRANCIS
I think of the mothers who have lost children in the wars, so many young lives cut short! I think of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, found dead in September, along with five other hostages, in Gaza. In November last year I met the mother, Rachel, who touched me with her humanity. I stand with her at this moment.
It was at this meeting at the end of 2023. Relatives of Israeli hostages and a group of Palestinians traveled to the Vatican. They met with the Pope separately.
The Holy See clarified that, to put aside political interpretations, it was a humanitarian meeting. Francis wanted to be with them and listen to them. This is what this meeting with the pontiff meant for Hersh's mother.
RACHEL GOLDBERG
Mother of Hersh, killed by Hamas
I felt very embraced by him this morning. I felt very heard and respected. It was shorter than we wanted, and it was painful for people who didn't get to speak. But I felt his love and his support.
251 hostages, including Hersh, were captured at the music festival during the Hamas attack. According to Israel, 97 people are still being held hostage and, of these, 33 are reportedly dead.
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