Attacked by ‘Those We Helped’: Murdered Israeli Hostage Oded Lifshitz Eulogized by Wife at Funeral

Latest Developments

Lifshitz Advocated for Palestinian Rights: The wife of slain Israeli hostage Oded Lifshitz, 83, lamented during a eulogy at her husband’s funeral on February 25 that he was killed by those he had helped as a peace activist. “We fought all through the years for social justice, for peace. To my sorrow, we were hit by a terrible blow by those we helped on the other side,” Yocheved Lifshitz, 86, said. Lifshitz was a left-leaning writer who led the campaign for Israel’s Bedouin Arabs to remain on their lands, met with Palestinian Liberation Organization leader Yasser Arafat, and, in his later years, volunteered to drive Gazans to receive treatment at Israeli hospitals.
Lifshitz’s Body Released With Bibas Children: Lifshitz and his wife were abducted by Iran-backed Hamas terrorists from the safe room of their home in Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, 2023. He was later murdered in captivity by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist shortly afterward, while his wife was released separately two weeks after her abduction. Lifshitz’s body was returned to Israel on February 20 along with the bodies of nine-month-old Kfir Bibas, four-year-old Ariel Bibas, and another body that Hamas claimed was their mother, Shiri Bibas, 32, but that was later confirmed to be the body of an unidentified Gazan woman.
Phase Two Negotiations Stall: The 42-day first phase of the three-phase ceasefire agreed to by Israel and Hamas on January 19 is set to expire on March 1. Negotiations for the second phase of the deal, which would have included a permanent end to hostilities and an agreement on the future governance of Gaza, have reportedly stalled as 63 Israeli hostages still remain in captivity. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said during a speech this week that Israel was “ready to return to intense combat at any moment,” but Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel told reporters on February 25 that negotiating an extension to the current phase was a possibility.

FDD Expert Response

“On October 7, Hamas and its allies indiscriminately targeted individuals, regardless of whether they were peace activists, Muslims, or Jews. Furthermore, Hamas and other Palestinian terrorist groups will seek to replicate this horrific attack in the future. In light of these threats, it is unrealistic to expect Israel to coexist with entities that are openly planning further mass atrocities against civilians.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst and Editor at FDD’s Long War Journal

“Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Hamas don’t care if Israelis are Likudniks or Labor supporters. These terrorists only see Jews destined for slaughter. Oded Lifshitz extended a hand toward peace only to be returned home in a body bag.” — David May, Research Manager and Senior Research Analyst 