Thousands mourn at Israeli-American hostage's funeral amid protests over hostage-taking – Firstpost

The family of murdered Israeli-American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin paid heartbreaking tributes to their vibrant and “beautiful” son and brother at a well-attended memorial service in Jerusalem.

Hersh's grieving mother pleaded for his forgiveness and expressed regret for not being able to free him from Hamas captivity. Hundreds of people attended the 23-year-old's funeral, while thousands lined the streets of Jerusalem to watch the funeral procession to the cemetery.

As the family left their Jerusalem home, the car was surrounded by a crowd, and throngs of people, many waving the Israeli flag or wearing the colors of Goldberg-Polin's favorite soccer team, lined a major Jerusalem thoroughfare and paid their respects as the car made its way to the cemetery.

Mourners laid wreaths at the foot of his coffin and sang a prayer to honor the young man's memory.

Many in the crowd burst into sobs as his mother, Rachel Goldberg-Polin, said goodbye to her son and told him: “Finally, finally, finally you are free!”

She and her husband, Jon, told stories about their son, who they said was funny, curious and tireless in the pursuit of justice. They said they hoped his death could at least mark a turning point in the lengthy negotiations for a ceasefire and the release of the hostages.

“We failed you, we all failed you. You wouldn't have failed yourselves,” Jon said. “Perhaps your death will be the stone, the fuel that will bring the 101 other hostages home.”

“I’m sorry, Hersh, we’re sorry we couldn’t bring you back alive,” Israeli President Isaac Herzog said in a eulogy.

The Israeli military announced on Sunday that the bodies of Goldberg-Polin and five other hostages had been discovered in an underground tunnel in the southern Gaza Strip.

Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was not doing enough to achieve a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

A general strike in Israel to protest the failure to reach an agreement and release the hostages led to lockdowns and other disruptions across Israel on Monday, but the strike was ignored in some areas, reflecting deep political divisions.

Hundreds of thousands of Israelis poured into the streets on Sunday in grief and anger after six hostages were found dead in Gaza. Families and much of the public blamed Netanyahu, saying they could have been returned alive under a deal with Hamas to end the nearly 11-month war.

With inputs from agencies.