Fears for American man, 23, after he sent parents chilling message ‘I love you, I’m sorry’ before vanishing from desert dance rave when Hamas terrorists paraglided in – as his parents beg insurgents to leave him unharmed

An American man sent a chilling text message to his parents while attending a party in Israel – moments before Hamas terrorists launched their brutal surprise attack.

Hersh Golberg-Polin (23) texted his mother and father ‘I love you’. I’m sorry’ at 08:11 on Saturday – as Palestinian militants declared war on Israel, took dozens of people hostage and killed hundreds during the Jewish high holiday.

Born in Berkeley, California, Hersh and his family decided to move to Jerusalem when he was just seven years old.

His family have no idea where he is – and now fear for his life, after he spent the night at the desert rave that was infiltrated and ambushed by Palestinian terrorists.

Jonathon Polin, his father, told the Jerusalem Post: ‘We just want him home and safe. We love you. Come home to us.’

The 23-year-old celebrated the end of his army service. He was a tank driver in the 7th Armored Brigade until April and later trained to become a medic.

His father Jonathon and mother Rachel said their son worked as a waiter in the city while saving money to finance a trip to India.

The worried parents last saw their son at 11pm the night before the attacks started.

He attended Simhat Torah holiday services with them at their local Jerusalem synagogue — before having dinner with them to celebrate the religious event.

Jonathon, from Chicago, Illinois, said: ‘He had a backpack and left around 11 to join his friend.’

Golberg-Polin attended an all-night ‘nature party’ near Kibbutz Re’im – not far from the Gaza Strip.

There were two places the 23-year-old is believed to have escaped to – Yishuv Saad and Ofakim, according to a handwritten list with the names of partygoers etched on it.

But his horrified parents said: ‘He wasn’t at any of those places.’

Due to the volatile situation, and now the deadly strikes being fired from both sides, it is too dangerous for the parents to drive down themselves to find their son.

Jonathon said: ‘They (police) think there are still a lot of people hiding in the area.

‘Every time we hear information, we turn everything we can to find something out. There is very little we can actually do.’

Many of Golberg-Polin’s aunts, uncles and cousins ​​still live in Illinois.

His aunt Abby wrote on social media on Sunday: ‘Praying for a safe return of my nephew Hersh Goldberg Polin and everyone in Israel.’