Nearly 200 people gathered in Columbus Circle Sunday night for a vigil mourning the deaths of six Israeli hostages slaughtered by Hamas.
Among the dead was American citizen Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, who was taken hostage by Hamas in October, and who appeared in a propaganda video released by Hamas in April, when he appeared to be missing his right arm.
“We are heartbroken,” said one parent at the vigil. “These are critical times. negotiations are still happening. we need your continued support until they are all home. show up, continue to march. Pray, don’t remain silent. Write your representatives. Call the White House. Write your community leaders and the Prime Minister of Israel.”
Goldberg-Polin was reportedly to be included in a hostage exchange as part of a July cease-fire agreement, according to officials, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the deal.
Along with Goldberg-Polin, Ori Danino, 25; Eden Yerushalmi, 24; Almog Sarusi, 27; Alexander Lobanov, 33, and Carmel Gat, 40, were found dead Saturday night in the tunnel under the city of Rafah.