Sharon Lifschitz, a British-Israeli filmmaker, has confirmed the return of her father Oded Lifschitz's body, more than 500 days after he was taken captive by Hamas during the violent events of October 7. The Lifschitz family had maintained hope throughout his captivity that he would return alive, although the circumstances led to diminished expectations as time passed.

Oded Lifschitz, an 84-year-old peace activist known for his advocacy on behalf of Palestinians, was reportedly killed in captivity over a year ago.

Taken from his home in Kibbutz Nir Oz, Lifschitz was among those abducted in a violent incident that claimed the lives of approximately 1,200 civilians on that day.

Following his abduction, Israel's government stated that he was murdered by the Islamic Jihad organization while held as a hostage.

His return on Thursday brought profound sorrow to his family, particularly to his wife Yocheved, who herself was released by Hamas after her own experience as a hostage.

After identifying her father's body, the head of Israel's National Institute of Forensic Medicine confirmed that he had been killed long before his remains were returned.

In a statement regarding the situation, Israel's Prime Minister's Office characterized Lifschitz's death as a murder carried out by terrorist organizations operating in the region.

During the time of his captivity, Sharon Lifschitz emerged as a public figure, advocating for the release of hostages and shedding light on the emotional toll faced by families in similar situations.

She recalled the mixed emotions of hope and despair upon hearing news regarding the hostages, affirming that no outcome was acceptable other than her father’s safe return.

Her father was remembered not only for his peace activism but for his personal qualities—his love of family, community, and mutual respect with Palestinians.

In the aftermath of his abduction, approximately 48,297 Palestinians have lost their lives due to the extensive Israeli military operations aimed at Hamas, in retaliation for the October attacks, which have predominantly affected civilian populations.

On the day of Oded’s body return, three additional bodies were reported by Hamas, including those of Shiri Bibas and her two young sons, Ariel and Kfir.

However, the Israel Defense Forces later alleged that one of these bodies was misidentified, asserting that it did not belong to Bibas, complicating the already painful situation for families of the captives.

The Labor Party leader, Sir Keir Starmer, expressed his condolences on Lifschitz's death, noting the profound impact of his work aimed at fostering peace in a region beset by conflict.

Yocheved, upon receiving a peace award for her advocacy during and after her captivity, reflected on the tragic irony of her husband's fate, emphasizing that he was a staunch supporter of Palestinian rights, treasured relationships he built through his activism, and was truly a man dedicated to the pursuit of peace.

The Lifschitz family, now able to mourn their loss, faces a complex reality, as they process the implications of over 500 days of uncertainty and the finality of Oded's tragic death.