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Israeli-American hostage killed by Hamas was a Georgia Jewish camp counselor

By FOX 5 Atlanta Digital Team and Brittany Edney
Updated  September 2, 2024 11:19pm EDT
Israel Hamas war
FOX 5 Atlanta

Slain Israeli-American hostage had to ties to Atlanta

Thousands of people lined the streets of Jerusalem to salute Hersh Goldberg-Polin, one of the six hostages killed by Hamas. FOX 5 has learned Goldberg-Polin was a counselor at a Jewish summer camp in Clayton, Georgia. FOX 5's Brittany Edney has the story.

In Brief

    • Hersh Goldberg-Polin: Israeli-American hostage, Georgia camp counselor, killed by Hamas.
    • Hostage situation: Taken in Oct. 7 attacks, killed before rescue.
    • Community mourning: Ramah Darom camp and Clayton community grieve.
    • Public reaction: Thousands in Jerusalem honor him; officials condemn the killings.

ATLANTA - Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, one of the six hostages killed by Hamas over the weekend, was a counselor at a Jewish summer camp in Clayton, Georgia.

All of those killed were taken hostage during the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attacks. Three of the 6 hostages, including Goldberg-Polin, were reportedly scheduled to be released in the first phase of a cease-fire proposal discussed in July. 

PREVIOUS STORY: Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Israeli-American hostage, found dead in Gaza

Hamas reportedly killed the hostages shortly before Israeli forces could reach them. Their bodies were found in a tunnel under Rafah. It is believed they were killed on Thursday or Friday.

Goldberg-Polin, 23, was attending the Supernova music festival in the Israeli desert when he was kidnapped. Goldberg-Polin lost part of his left arm to a grenade blast during the attack on Oct. 7. A video produced by Hamas in April showed Hersh with his left hand missing. 

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Mourners gather for the burial of killed US-Israeli hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin whose body was recovered with five other hostages in Gaza, during the funeral at Givat Shaul cemetery in Jerusalem on September 2, 2024, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. The six were among 251 hostages seized during Hamas's October 7 attack that triggered the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. (Photo by GIL COHEN-MAGEN / POOL / AFP) 

RELATED: Berkeley vigil held for Israeli-American hostage killed in Gaza

His parents, who were both born in the U.S., had been advocating for his release and return since he was taken, including speaking at the recent Democratic National Convention.

Ramah Darom in Clayton posted that they are heartbroken over Hersh's death. According to a Facebook post, Hersh's family were longtime Ramah Darom Passover participants.

Thousands of people lined the streets of Jerusalem to salute Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who was born in Berkeley, California, as his body was carried through the crowd in a hearse to his funeral service. His family gave emotional goodbyes to the young man whose life was violently stolen from him too soon.

"I will love you and I will miss you every single day, for the rest of my life. But you're right here," his mother,  Rachel Goldberg-Polin, stated while touching her heart. "I know you're right here. I just have to teach myself how to feel you differently."

In a statement, President Joe Biden has said he is outraged about the deaths of the hostages.

Through unimaginable loss, his family continues to advocate for the release of those still held captive.

"For 330 days mama and I sought the proverbial stone that we could turn over to save you," said his father, Jon Goldberg-Polin. "Maybe, just maybe your death is the stone, the fuel that will bring home the remaining 101 hostages."

Israeli President Isaac Herzog also spoke and apologized to the slain hostages. "As a human being, as a father, and as the president of the State of Israel, I want to say how sorry I am," said Herzog. "How sorry I am that we didn’t protect Hersh on that dark day. How sorry I am that we failed to bring him home. In his life and in his death, Hersh has touched all of humanity deeply."

In a statement, President Joe Biden expressed outrage over the deaths of the hostages. Biden's statement also said that the president had "worked tirelessly" to bring Hersh home to his parents and he is "heartbroken" by the news of his death. Biden also said "Make no mistake, Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes."

Biden says he still thinks there is a chance for a ceasefire deal in Gaza but is critical of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. When Biden was asked Monday if he through Netanyahu was doing enough to help get the hostages returned, the President replied with a blunt a simple, "No."

A White House official is describing Biden's latest ceasefire proposal as a final "Take it or leave it" deal for both Israel and Hamas.

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The news of the deaths has sparked protests against the Israeli government's failed efforts to negotiate a deal to free all the captives held by Hamas.

Gov. Brian Kemp called Hersh's death "devastating" on X (formerly known as Twitter) and said, "We must stand with Israel to make this terror group pay for its acts of unspeakable evil."

Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr also issued a statement about Hersh's death. In his statement, Carr noted that Hersh's relatives installed an exhibit in his honor at Congregation Shearith Israel in Atlanta.