The daughter of a man who died in Gaza after being taken hostage on October 7 has described the return of his body as ‘one of the most profound things’.
Sharone Lifshitz’s father, 83-year-old Oded Lifshitz, was snatched from his home by Hamas alongside his wife – Yocheved.
Whilst Yocheved was released in later October 2023, Mr Lifshitz was still held captive by the terrorist until he was murdered more than. His body was returned in February this year.
Speaking to BBC News, Ms Lifshitz said that bringing her father back and being able to bury him was ‘one of the most profound things’.
She said: ‘It’s not the outcome we were hoping for. But it’s a relief to know that he is not suffering. We were so worried about his well being and his suffering, and he suffered before he died, and he died in the most horrific circumstances possible.
‘Receiving my father’s remains back, and being able to say goodbye to him has really has been incredibly meaningful to me, more than I could ever imagine, to bring him back to us, away from such horrific events that he was part of in his last days.’
Ms Lifshitz spoke to the outlet at a memorial event for relatives of those who lost loved ones on October 7 or had family members who were taken hostage.
The event held at JW3 Community Centre was attended by hundreds of people including MPs and the Chief Rabbi.
Sharone Lifshitz and her father Oded. The 83-year-old Mr Lifshitz, was snatched from his home by Hamas alongside his wife – Yocheved
Mr Lifshitz with his wife Yochevd. Whilst Yocheved was released in later October 2023, Mr Lifshitz was still held captive by the terrorists until his death
She added that it was ‘hard to reconcile’ that the family were not at Mr Lifshitz side when he passed away.
According to the Israeli Government, Mr Lifshitz was murdered while in captivity.
A UK-linked journalist and campaigner for peace Mr Lifshitz drove sick Palestinians to hospitals in Israel for treatment and met Yasser Arafat, the then head of the Palestine Liberation Organisation, when he was still alive.
He was returned to Israel alongside the bodies fellow hostages Ariel and Kfir Bibas.
Last month, a shocking mishap rather than returning the body of Ariel and Kfir’s mother Shiri, the remains of another woman were handed over to Israel instead.
Shiri’s remains were eventually returned to Israel at a later date.
In a statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said yesterday that his government was prepared to continue ceasefire talks based on a US proposal for the release of 11 living hostages and half of the deceased.
In a statement on X, his office said: ‘Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held an in-depth discussion this evening on the issue of the hostages, with the participation of the negotiating team and the heads of the security establishment.
Ms Lifshitz said that bringing her father back and being able to bury him was ‘one of the most profound things’
A UK-linked journalist and campaigner for peace Mr Lifshitz drove sick Palestinians to hospitals in Israel for treatment and met Yasser Arafat, the then head of the Palestine Liberation Organisation, when he was still alice
‘Following the discussion, the Prime Minister instructed the negotiating team to prepare for the continuation of the talks as per the mediators’ response to the Witkoff proposal for the immediate release of 11 living hostages and half of the deceased hostages.’
The latest development comes just a day after Hamas said it would release the last living American-Israeli hostage and the remains of four other dual-national hostages after receiving a proposal from mediators to continue negotiations on the second phase of a Gaza ceasefire deal.
Edan Alexander, 21, who has been held for 525 days, will be released along with the bodies of four other hostages who died in captivity, Hamas has claimed.
Last night, Hamas said the release will only happen if Israel implements their ceasefire agreement, calling it an ‘exceptional deal’ aimed at getting the truce back on track.
A senior Hamas official said long-delayed talks over the ceasefire’s second phase would need to begin the day of the release and last no longer than 50 days.
Israel would also need to stop barring the entry of humanitarian aid and withdraw from a strategic corridor along Gaza’s border with Egypt.
