Peace Activist Released from Captivity amidst Ongoing Israel-Hamas Conflict
Yocheved Lifschitz, an 85-year-old peace activist and grandmother, was released by Hamas after enduring two weeks in captivity. Alongside another woman, Nurit Cooper, 79, was kidnapped by Hamas gunmen on motorbikes from the Nir Oz Kibbutz in southern Israel on October 7. Yocheved’s husband, Oded, remains in captivity. The attack on their kibbutz resulted in a significant loss of life, with one in four residents killed or kidnapped.
During captivity, Yocheved was hit with sticks and taken through a network of tunnels underneath Gaza, describing the conditions as a “spider’s web.” The hostages were kept in separate rooms with guards access to a paramedic, and a doctor. Lifshcitz claimed the conditions were clean, with mattresses provided for sleeping and access to necessary medicines.
Yocheved and Oded, known peace activists, had previously helped transport sick individuals from Gaza to Israeli hospitals. Images captured Yocheved shaking hands with a Hamas gunman just before her release at the Rafah crossing, saying “Shalom,” the Hebrew word for peace. She and Cooper are two of only four hostages released, including Americans Judith and Natalie Raanan.
Israel has released raw footage from Hamas body cameras, revealing the brutality of the October 7th attack, with gunmen cheering as innocent people were shot. Over 1,400, primarily civilians, lost their lives. Hamas released Yocheved Lifschitz and Nurit Cooper, but their husbands remain captive. The Nahal Oz Kibbutz, which lost a third of its members, called for the release of all captives.
Israel continues efforts for hostage release, emphasizing unity and determination. Most recently, including French President Emmanuel Macron, international leaders have visited Israel to express solidarity. Macron met with families of hostages and Israeli-French nationals who lost loved ones. President Biden continues to emphasize the importance of hostage release before talks.
Israel’s military buildup continues along the Gaza border, and over 400 terror targets have been struck in the past 24 hours. The possibility of a ground campaign looms.
Humanitarian assistance convoys entered Gaza after a blockade, but concerns persist over insufficient aid. Calls for a ceasefire grow, with the European Union discussing the need for a humanitarian pause.
Photo Courtesy: ©Getty Images/Alexi J. Rosenfeld / Stringer
Video Courtesy: Reuters via YouTube
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