'You're finally free': Mother of slain hostage, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, as thousands attend funeral

Thousands of Israeli and American mourners gathered on Monday afternoon for the funeral of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who was murdered by Hamas terrorists in Gaza, at Mount Hamenuchot cemetery in Jerusalem.

Rachel Goldberg-Polin says goodbye to her only son Hersh : "Ok sweet boy, go now on your journey. I hope it's as good as the trips you dreamed about because finally, my sweet boy, finally, finally, finally, finally you are free. I will love you and I will miss you every… pic.twitter.com/9pYbMX6YhJ

— Israel ישראל (@Israel) September 2, 2024

He received glowing eulogies from his parents and President Isaac Herzog.

"Hersh, I'm sorry. We're sorry. We failed; you didn't fail. You would have pushed harder, and we will push so that your death and that of all the soldiers will not be in vain. We will bring home the remaining hostages. Our hope is not lost yet. The life we ​​had with you was a blessing, and now we will work so that your legacy will be a blessing. I love you," Hersh's father, John Polin, lamented.

"Beloved Hersh, with a torn and broken heart, I stand here today, as the President of the State of Israel, saying goodbye to you and asking for your forgiveness," President Herzog said. "I ask for forgiveness on behalf of the State of Israel. Sorry that we failed to protect you in the terrible failure of the October oath. Sorry that we failed to bring you home safely."

Before the funeral, mourners accompanied the family's convoy on foot in a march up to the cemetery.

The funeral was streamed live on YouTube with over 17,000 viewers.

KAN released footage showing Hersh's sister Libby lighting Hannukah candles on after migrating to Israel.

מרגש: רייצ'ל גולדברג-פולין מדליקה נרות עם ליבי, אחותו של הירש שנרצח בשבי חמאס, זמן קצר אחרי שעלו לישראל pic.twitter.com/SZiDSJxGCg

— כאן חדשות (@kann_news) September 2, 2024

Rachel Goldberg-Polin and Jon Polin, the parents of 23-year-old dual national Hersh, have campaigned tirelessly since he was taken hostage from the Nova music festival on October 7, only recently heading in the convoy of families to the Gaza border to speak messages via loudspeaker. 

Murder of the hostages

The bodies of hostages Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Eden Yerushalmi, Carmel Gat, Almog Sarusi, Alexander Lobanov, and Ori Danino were found in the Gaza Strip, the IDF said on Sunday morning.

The IDF retrieved the bodies of the hostages from a tunnel under the city of Rafah in Gaza on Saturday. The Health Ministry determined that they were shot at close range either on Thursday or early Friday morning.