British Daughter Honors Father's Memory After Hostage Tragedy

Sharone Lifschitz, whose father, Oded, was taken hostage by Palestinian gunmen and later died in captivity, expresses the deep emotional impact of being able to bury him. At a memorial in London, she emphasizes the need for all families to reunite with their loved ones, both living and deceased, as negotiations for further hostage releases stall.

A British-Israeli woman whose father died in captivity after being taken hostage by Palestinian militants on October 7 has expressed how deeply meaningful it was to bring her father’s body home. Sharone Lifschitz, speaking after finally being able to hold funeral services for 83-year-old Oded Lifshitz, said, "Bringing back my dad and being able to bury him was one of the most profound things." Oded and his wife, Yocheved, were both taken hostage from their home, but while 85-year-old Yocheved was released in late October 2023, Oded was held for 503 days.

When his remains were returned in February, the Israeli government confirmed he had been murdered in captivity over a year prior. Sharone, in an interview with the BBC, reflected on the tragic outcome, stating, "It's not the outcome we were hoping for... But it's a relief to know that he is not suffering." She recalled how agonizing it was to worry about his well-being during captivity, noting that he had indeed endured significant suffering before his death in "the most horrific circumstances possible."

A memorial event held at the JW3 Community Centre in London drew hundreds of attendees from across the community, including British-Israeli families, MPs, and dignitaries. Sharone highlighted the importance of allowing families to properly say goodbye to their loved ones still held captive or deceased. The recent phase of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which concluded on March 1, saw the release of 25 Israeli hostages and eight deceased hostages, while Israel released about 1,900 Palestinian prisoners in return. However, talks to extend the ceasefire for further releases have seen no progress.

"Receiving my father's remains back, and being able to say goodbye to him has really has been incredibly meaningful to me," Sharone noted. She added that it is important to return all hostages—living and deceased—to their families. Reflecting on her father's character, she mentioned how he had been alive and injured for weeks after being taken hostage but "didn't give up on his humanity."

Lincoln MP Hamish Falconer, present at the memorial, praised Sharone's resilience and reiterated the urgent need to bring all current hostages home. Oded Lifshitz was known as a journalist and peace advocate who had previously supported Palestinian rights. Following her parents’ captivity, Sharone has actively campaigned for their release, expressing that her father's legacy of peace and mutual coexistence remains a beacon of hope amidst ongoing strife.

At the memorial, Sharone conveyed a message of endurance and aspiration for peace, stating, "I can't give up on peace in my own life. Therefore I cannot give up on peace on any other scale." She concluded with a powerful reflection: "Is the road long? Is the road hazardous? Yes. What's the alternative? More hate?"