Gaza hostage Oded Lifshitz's daughter says burying father was 'incredibly meaningful'

Sharone Lifschitz, a British-Israeli woman, said it meant a great deal to her that her father, Oded Lifshitz, was finally returned to her last month after being kidnapped by Palestinian gunmen on October 7th of last year. "Bringing my father back and being able to bury him is one of the most meaningful things," Sharone said after holding a funeral for her 83-year-old father, Oded Lifshitz. The return of her father's remains provided a sense of closure amidst the ongoing conflict.

Both of her parents were abducted from their home by Palestinian gunmen, her 85-year-old mother, Yocheved, was released in late October 2023, but Oded was held hostage for 503 days. The Israeli government stated that Oded had already been killed in captivity more than a year ago. Oded "was murdered in captivity by Islamic Jihad terrorists," a statement from the Israeli Prime Minister's Office said. The circumstances surrounding his death highlight the brutal realities of hostage situations.

Sharone said in an interview with the BBC on Sunday, "It's not the outcome we wanted, but it's a comfort to know that he's no longer suffering. We were very concerned about his health and his pain, he suffered before he died, and he died in the most horrific circumstances." Sharone was interviewed by BBC News at a memorial event held at the JW3 community center in London. The memorial served as a poignant reminder of the human cost of the conflict.

Hundreds of people came to mourn, including members of parliament, Foreign Office Minister Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, the Chief Rabbi, and other relatives of British-Israeli families who were murdered or kidnapped on October 7th. Sharone said that "being able to say goodbye" shows how important it is to reunite all families with their loved ones, whether they are still alive or the bodies still being held by Hamas. The gathering underscored the shared grief and solidarity within the community.

The first phase of a temporary truce between Israel and Hamas ended on March 1st, with Hamas releasing people captured during the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. In exchange, Israel released approximately 1,900 prisoners and detainees from Gaza. Negotiations to extend the ceasefire and release more hostages have so far failed to achieve a breakthrough. "Receiving my father's body and being able to say goodbye to him has been really meaningful for me, more important than I could have imagined, bringing him back to us, away from those terrible events that he experienced in his final days," Sharone said. The lack of progress in negotiations adds to the anguish of the affected families.

"It's hard to accept the fact that we weren't there for him. But at least we know now that he's back with us. I hope he knows how much we loved him." Sharone also stated, "Having gone through ending this, knowing that my father has passed away and been buried, really highlights how important it is to return everyone, both alive and deceased hostages, so that all families can bury their loved ones." She said that he had been held alive and injured in Gaza in the weeks after his capture, but he "didn't give up his humanity." His resilience and commitment to peace even in captivity serve as an inspiration.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, a Member of Parliament and Minister of State for the Middle East, said: "It's very important for me to be here and pay tribute to Oded's tragic death. Sharone is a pillar of strength and dignity, and I admire her greatly. As she said, as Oded would have wanted, we must bring home all those who are still being held hostage." Oded was a journalist and veteran peace activist who drove sick Palestinians to hospitals in Israel for treatment. In his Palestinian rights activism, he met with Yasser Arafat, then head of the Palestine Liberation Organization. Oded's dedication to peace and humanitarian efforts left a lasting impact.

Since October 7th, Sharone, a filmmaker and academic, has been actively campaigning for the release of her parents. More than a year after learning of her father's death, not knowing whether her father was dead or alive, she burst into tears when she finally discovered her father's fate. Yocheved Lifshitz had previously said that her husband was a great peace activist. "He had good relations with the Palestinians, and the saddest thing is that they betrayed him," she said. Sharone said in an interview with the BBC after her mother was released from captivity that Oded "dedicated his life to the peace movement and fought for the possibility of two countries [Israelis and Palestinians] living side by side." The betrayal underscores the complexities and challenges of achieving lasting peace.

At the memorial event on Sunday, Sharone said: "I cannot give up on peace in my own life. Therefore, I cannot give up on peace on any other scale. Peace is what we want to achieve. Is the road long? Is the road dangerous? Yes. What is the alternative? More hatred? Does hatred solve hatred? Does more hatred help? I can't see it." Sharone's unwavering commitment to peace, even in the face of personal tragedy, offers a message of hope and resilience.