Daniel Lifshitz, the grandson of Oded and Yocheved, spoke to Fox News Digital, expressing relief that some hostages have returned but emphasizing that nothing can be resolved until all the hostages are back. As of the time of writing, 13 hostages from Nir Oz remain in Gaza, and not all of them are alive.
Daniel described his late grandfather as a “warrior of peace” who served in four wars and fought for the rights of minorities. Oded and Yocheved were peace activists who helped Palestinian pediatric cancer patients from Gaza cross into Israel for chemotherapy. Yocheved said they “were hit by a terrible attack by those we helped on the other side” during her husband’s funeral.
Daniel also noted that his grandmother felt betrayed not by the militant groups but by the Palestinian civilians they had helped over the years.
Oded’s body was returned alongside those of Ariel and Kfir Bibas. The boys’ mother, Shiri Bibas, was supposed to be in the fourth coffin, but her remains were not there when the coffin arrived in Israel. Her body was returned two days later.
The Lifshitz family continues to advocate for the release of the remaining hostages. Daniel believes that the Biden administration’s approach to the situation is not as effective as Trump’s, stating that Trump’s team is “more creative” and willing to try different solutions.
In the face of tragedy, the family remains hopeful that the remaining hostages will one day return home to Israel and that their efforts to secure their release will bring some rest to the family.
- All the hostages taken from Nir Oz, in Gaza, are still there
- Of these hostages, not all are alive
- Oded and Yocheved were peace activists who helped Palestinian children
- Oded’s body was returned without Shiri, but her body was found later
