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Oded Lifschitz: A Life of Peace and Advocacy Ends in Tragedy
Sharone Lifschitz, a British-Israeli filmmaker and academic living in East London, has endured a harrowing journey of hope and despair regarding her 84-year-old father, Oded Lifschitz, who was held captive by Hamas for over 500 days.
Oded was well-known as a man of peace, deeply engaged in advocating for Palestinian rights and building bridges between communities. His life was marked by commitment and compassion, as he tirelessly worked to assist Palestinians in need, even driving them to medical facilities in Israel.
He was taken from his home by Palestinian militants on October 7th, during an unprecedented escalation in violence, and it was later confirmed that he was killed in captivity in Gaza.
The return of Oded’s remains on Thursday brought heartbreaking news to his family, especially to his wife Yocheved, who had previously been a hostage but was released alive. The family now faces the unthinkable reality of a future without him after more than 63 years of marriage.
Following the identification of Oded’s body, officials from Israel’s National Institute of Forensic Medicine reported that he had been killed in captivity more than a year ago. The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office stated that he was “murdered in captivity by the Islamic Jihad terrorist organization.”
Reflecting on her father’s plight, Sharone shared her emotions upon the announcement of a ceasefire last month, expressing a mix of hope and uncertainty about his fate. She admitted that while she held onto faith in miracles, the likelihood of her father’s survival diminished with each passing day.
Throughout this ordeal, Sharone became a prominent advocate for the release of hostages, shedding light on the emotional toll faced by families caught in similar situations. “One way or another, we will know. We will know if he’s still with us, if we can look after him,” she said, emphasizing the deep anguish of not knowing and the profound loss experienced by families like hers.
As they prepare to grieve, the Lifschitz family acknowledges the painful reality that many still remain unaccounted for. Oded’s legacy as a journalist and peace activist is further illuminated by his historical ties to Palestinian leaders, including a meeting with Yasser Arafat, former head of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).
Brought up in Kibbutz Nir Oz, Oded was cherished for his love of nature, his musical talent on the piano, and his devotion to his family, including his grandchildren. His wife Yocheved, who met with Hamas leadership while held captive, exhibited remarkable resilience and courage, openly confronting those responsible for their suffering.
During a recent event where she received a peace award for her advocacy on behalf of hostages, Yocheved declared, “Oded was a great fighter for peace. He had very good relations with Palestinians, and the thing that hurts the most is they betrayed him.”
The Lifschitz family now faces the heartbreaking process of mourning the loss of a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. After enduring “503 agonizing days of uncertainty,” they had hoped for a different conclusion to Oded’s story, a wish that sadly remains unfulfilled.
Source
www.bbc.com