An American-Israeli sent a haunting last text to his parents as a rave was infiltrated by Hamas terrorists.
Californian Hersh Golberg-Polin, 23, was at a dance event in the northern Negev desert when it was interrupted by the militant group who began kidnapping attendees.
He texted his parents “I love you” and “I’m sorry” before becoming unreachable.
Speaking to the Jerusalem Post, dad Jonathon Polin has said “we just want him home and safe” as the family searches for answers.
Asked what he would say to his son if he could hear him, he replied: “We love you. Come home to us.”
READ MORE: Several Americans may have been killed in Israel with more missing, says Blinken
Hersh had also been celebrating the end of his term in military service, which concluded in April.
He had driven tanks in the 7th Armored Brigade and trained to become a medic because it was “more interesting than driving a tank”, his dad said.
Hersh’s newfound sense of freedom gave way to an interest in travel. He had also spent a stint working as a waiter to save up for a trip to India.
His parents received the haunting last messages at 8:11am on Saturday – just after Hamas launched their daybreak attacks on Israel.
Horrifying videos surfaced online showing young Israelis fleeing from the festival after Hamas fighters began their deadly assault.
In the 24 hours since Hamas launched its unprecedented incursion out of Gaza, as many as 600 people have been killed in Israel.
More than 300 have been killed in Gaza as Israeli retaliatory airstrikes pummel the territory.
Authorities were still trying to determine how many civilians and soldiers were seized by Hamas fighters during the mayhem and taken back to Gaza. From videos and witnesses, the captives are known to include women, children, and the elderly.
As many as 1,000 Hamas fighters were involved in the assault, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on ABC’s “This Week” – a high figure that underscored the extent of planning by the militant group ruling Gaza.
Following the horrific kidnapping of multiple civilians, a line of Israelis snaked outside a central Israel police station to supply DNA samples on Sunday. They are hoping to help identify missing family members.
Israeli TV news showed weeping relatives begging for assistance and information.
