The family of Oded Lifshitz, an 83-year-old who was kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz with his wife Yocheved during the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack, continues to advocate for the release of hostages still in Gaza, even after Oded’s death on Feb. 20, 2025. Yocheved was released in October 2023 and has been campaigning for the release of other hostages since then.

According to Daniel Lifshitz, Oded and Yocheved’s grandson, the return of some hostages has brought a glimmer of hope to Kibbutz Nir Oz. However, he told Digital that true healing can only begin once all hostages are freed. Currently, 13 individuals from Nir Oz remain captive in Gaza, with their status uncertain.

Daniel described his grandfather to Digital as a “warrior of peace,” highlighting Oded’s military service alongside his dedication to advocating for minority rights.

Oded and Yocheved were known for their peace activism, particularly assisting Palestinian children from Gaza seeking cancer treatment in Israel. During Oded’s eulogy, Yocheved recounted their work, lamenting that they “were hit by a terrible attack by those we helped on the other side,” according to the .

Daniel shared that his grandmother feels betrayed not by Hamas or Islamic Jihad, but by the Palestinian civilians whom she and her husband had dedicated years to assisting.

“After October 7, we didn’t see Palestinians protesting against Hamas or demanding the release of hostages, knowing that their release would end the war,” Daniel told Digital. “They need to demonstrate their rejection of Hamas, and that’s where my grandmother feels deeply betrayed because it’s for whom we try.”

Oded’s remains were returned alongside those of Ariel and Kfir Bibas. The boys’ mother, , was expected to be in the fourth coffin, but her remains were not initially present and were returned two days later.

“…their return together symbolizes the failure of the international community, because those cars carried a 9-month-old baby, the only baby held hostage globally, and an 83-year-old great-grandfather, the only great-grandfather held hostage globally,” Daniel told Digital.

Daniel, who grew up with Shiri’s sister, Dana, considers her like a sister. He told Digital that Trump’s team is “more creative” when he was asked about the differences between the Biden administration and the Trump administration’s handling of the situation.

“If one thing doesn’t work, they don’t continue. They try to bring another solution,” Daniel told Digital.

Despite their loss, the Lifshitz family remains steadfast in their hope for the return of all remaining hostages, both living and deceased. Daniel also expresses hope that his grandmother can find peace once all the hostages are safely home.

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