Daughter's Heartfelt Tribute to Father Killed in Gaza Captivity

Sharone Lifschitz expressed profound grief and relief as she buried her father, Oded Lifshitz, who was taken hostage during the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, and died in captivity. The family held a memorial event in London, emphasizing the importance of reuniting families with their loved ones, both alive and deceased, as the conflict persists.

A British-Israeli woman, Sharone Lifschitz, shared her deep sense of meaning and closure after finally being able to bury her father, Oded Lifshitz, who died in captivity following his abduction during the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks. The family held a funeral for the 83-year-old after his body was returned last month. "Bringing back my dad and being able to bury him was one of the most profound things," she stated.

Oded, who was kidnapped alongside his wife, Yocheved, was held captive for 503 days. Yocheved was released in late October 2023, but Oded's body was only retrieved in February, with the Israeli government declaring he was murdered in captivity by the Islamic Jihad terrorist organization. "It's not the outcome we were hoping for," Sharone reflected, emphasizing the relief that her father was no longer suffering.

During a memorial service at the JW3 Community Centre in London, attended by hundreds, including MPs and family members of other victims, Sharone urged the need for all families to be reunited with their loved ones. The first phase of a temporary truce between Israel and Hamas, which ended on March 1, led to the release of living hostages and deceased individuals, yet discussions for a continuation of the ceasefire have yet to yield an agreement.

Receiving her father's remains provided Sharone with a sense of closure, allowing her family to say goodbye after the traumatic experience of his long detainment. "Experiencing what it is to close it, to know that my father is dead and buried," she said, "really brings to the fore how important it is to return everybody, the living and the dead hostages."

Oded Lifshitz was not only a victim but a notable journalist and advocate for peace, having forged connections with Palestinian leaders in his commitment to drive change. His legacy and the cause for peace burn brightly through Sharone, who remains adamant about promoting harmony even amid heartache. "I can't give up on peace in my own life," she concluded, highlighting the necessity of pursuing understanding in a time of conflict.