CNN slammed for headline claiming American hostage in Israel ‘has died’— he was murdered by Palestinian terrorists

The headline of the article written by Alex Stambaugh and Nectar Gan originally read, “Israeli American Hostage Has Died.” Goldberg-Polin was kidnapped and taken hostage by Hamas terrorists during the Oct. 7 massacre conducted against Israel by that Palestinian group.

After CNN was slammed on social media for the phrasing, the headline was changed to “Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin Among Six Dead Hostages Discovered in Gaza Tunnel.” However, the content of the article was not updated. The article still opened by stating, “Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an American-Israeli held hostage by Hamas in Gaza, has died, his family said Sunday, dealing fresh heartbreak to the families of captives who fear time is running out for their loved ones seized by the militants more than 10 months ago.”

The biased article also included casualty numbers from Hamas which have been called out by the US and UN as inaccurate. CNN has regularly been accused of bias against the Jewish state.

According to the Hostages Families Forum, Hersh was the son of Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg, and elder brother to two sisters. He was born in the United States and immigrated with his family to Israel when he was 7.

On October 7, 2023, Hersh attended the NOVA music festival. When the Hamas attack began, Hersh's arm was injured when terrorists threw grenades into the shelter where he was hiding. Witnesses report that he managed to apply a tourniquet to himself and he was last seen being loaded into a truck by Palestinian terrorists. On April 24, Hamas released a video of Hersh showing his hand had been amputated.

His body along with the bodies of five other hostages were found in a terror tunnel under the Gazan city of Rafah. In March, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris had told Israel not to enter the terrorist stronghold. Harris threatened “consequences” if the IDF entered the city. Hersh’s parents addressed the August Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

“Make no mistake, Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes. And we will keep working around the clock for a deal to secure the release of the remaining hostages," Biden vowed in a statement.

Vice President Kamala Harris added in her own statement, “Doug and my prayers are with Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg-Polin, Hersh’s parents, and with everyone who knew and loved Hersh. When I met with Jon and Rachel earlier this year, I told them: You are not alone. That remains true as they mourn this terrible loss. Americans and people around the world will pray for Jon, Rachel, and their family and send them love and strength. As is said in the Jewish tradition, may Hersh’s memory be a blessing.”

Harris said during a campaign stop that she and Biden were "working around the clock" to secure the release of the hostages. Biden had been vacationing for the past few weeks on a beach in Delaware.

Hersh’s body was found together with the bodies of Eden Yerushalmi (24), Carmel Gat (39) Almog Sarusi (26) Alex Lubnov (32), and Ori Danino (25) who were all abducted during the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks.

Hours after the IDF located the bodies in Gaza, Hersh’s family issued a statement early Sunday. “With broken hearts, the Goldberg-Polin family is devastated to announce the death of their beloved son and brother, Hersh. The family thanks you all for your love and support and asks for privacy at this time.”