Murdered Hostage Oded Lifshitz Laid to Rest

The funeral of murdered hostage Oded Lifshitz was held on Tuesday in Kibbutz Nir Oz. The procession began in Rishon Lezion, passed through Sa’ad, and ended in Nir Oz. He was accompanied on his final journey by family, friends, members of the kibbutz, dignitaries, Israeli leaders, family members of those still held hostage, freed captives, and hundreds of Israelis who lined the streets to say goodbye. 

As one of the Kibbutz’s founders, Oded Lifshitz devoted his life to peace with his neighbors. He was a social activist, a journalist, a photographer, who took the time to drive sick patients from Gaza to hospitals in Israel to receive treatment.

Oded’s wife, Yocheved, who was also taken captive but later released, said that together they helped build a generation that they were proud of, adding that she “sees Oded in their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.” She also said the damage from Nir Oz after it was evacuated stunned her.

President Isaac Herzog addressed mourners, where he apologized in the name of the nation to the Lifshitz family and the entire Nir Oz community. He also called for an initial state inquiry to be opened and committed himself to continuing the fight for the hostages.

Oded’s children also spoke about the impact that their father made. His daughter, Sharon, spoke in her father’s words about his fight for peace, “all my life, I have participated in struggles for peace including forbidden meetings with PLO leadership.”

A member of Oded’s garin (core group that founded the Kibbutz) who had come to Nir Oz from Haifa with Oded highlighted that out of the entire group, he was the only survivor of the Oct. 7 massacre. The three others were taken hostage and murdered. 

The Ambassadors to Israel from Poland, Germany, and the UK also spoke at the funeral, offering their condolences. 

The Israel Daily News extends our deepest condolences to the Lifshitz family.