Families Rejoice as Hamas Releases Two Elderly Hostages, Heartbreaking Wait Continues for Others
Frail 85-year-old grandmother, Yocheved Lifshitz, freed by Hamas after being abducted from her home in kibbutz Nir Oz Families yearn for the release of other hostages still held captive
Freed hostage Yocheved Lifshitz, 85, can be seen in the initial images walking towards a waiting ambulance, following her abduction by Hamas militants from her residence in kibbutz Nir Oz. Hamas released both Lifshitz and her 79-year-old neighbor and friend, Nurit Cooper, on Monday. Subsequently, they were joyously reunited with their families at Ichilov hospital in Tel Aviv.
"It's amazing to see her talking, walking, and hugging her grandchildren," expressed Lifshitz's grandson, Daniel. He received news of her release while staying at a hotel in Eilat with other evacuees from Nir Oz. The news brought immense joy to the hotel and instilled hope that more individuals will be freed in the near future.
Daniel Lifshitz, who flew in a helicopter from the hotel to visit his grandmother in the early hours of Tuesday, described the sight of these two elderly women as truly remarkable. The Nir Oz community has suffered greatly, with over a quarter of its members either deceased or still unaccounted for following the brutal Hamas terror attack on October 7. This tragic incident, which resulted in the senseless loss of over 1,400 innocent lives, has sparked Israeli retaliations that now have the potential to escalate into a wider regional conflict.
Yocheved Lifshitz as seen in a video following her release, accompanied out of an ambulance.
The release of the two women brings the number of freed captives to four. However, it is estimated that over 200 hostages remain trapped in Gaza, with some located within the intricate network of Hamas tunnels beneath the coastal strip.
Remaining hostages include Oded Lifshitz, 83, and Amiram Cooper, 85, who are the husbands of Lifshitz and Cooper respectively. Sharone Lifschitz, the daughter of Yocheved, expressed her delight over her mother's release but also expressed concerns for the safety of her father and the other hostages.
Abducted from home
"My father is present, along with numerous other acquaintances, awaiting favorable updates regarding everyone," she voiced. "We remain unaware of their current circumstances, not even knowing if they are alive or the state they find themselves in."Lifshitz and Cooper resided in Nir Oz, a tight-knit community near the Gaza border, for many years. Due to its proximity to the barrier fence, this community became an early target for Hamas militants, resulting in severe damage.
Now, rows of houses stand desolate, with shattered windows, burnt bedrooms, and scattered belongings of the former residents. Disturbing video footage reveals dried blood on beds and floors, as well as walls riddled with bullet holes.
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Video shows harrowing images from Nir Oz kibbutz after Hamas attack
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Lifshitz played a pivotal role in establishing the community and held dual positions as both a photographer and a teacher at the regional high school, as stated by the Nir Oz community. In addition, Cooper, a resident for a significant period of time, contributed to early childhood education and was employed at the nearby paint factory, as noted in the statement.
Lifshitz and her husband had been undergoing medical treatment prior to their captivity, as revealed by their daughter, who spoke to CNN at London's Heathrow airport just before boarding a flight to Israel.
"Surviving without medication is not feasible for them," Sharone Lifschitz emphasized.
"My mom needs oxygen when she sleeps and suffers from a lot of back pain," she said.
On Tuesday, Eti Uziel, head nurse at Ichilov hospital said both women appeared to be in "OK medical condition."
Uziel, in a video published by the hospital shortly after the women's arrival, stated, "They will be staying with us tonight and tomorrow. At the moment, both the women and their family members are experiencing an incredibly emotional situation, and we are pleased to have them here."
Remaining hostages
The latest hostage release comes amid growing international pressure on the Israeli government to secure the release of hundreds of others still held captive in Gaza.
Nationals from countries such as Mexico, Brazil, the United States, Germany, and Thailand, along with Israeli civilians and soldiers, are part of the group.
In retaliation to the lethal October 7 assaults, Israel has pledged to eradicate Hamas and is currently imposing a severe blockade on Gaza, depriving its residents of essential resources like water, fuel, and food, while conducting airstrikes on significant targets.
According to Palestinian health authorities, the Israeli campaign in Gaza has resulted in the death of over 5,000 people. The continuous bombing of the area, despite the high number of Palestinian civilians, has provoked strong disapproval from Arab nations and sparked public protests across the globe.
According to two sources with knowledge of the matter, the United States is aiming to postpone an Israeli ground offensive in order to facilitate the release of additional hostages and the delivery of aid to Gaza. Nevertheless, a senior Israeli official categorically informed CNN that there will be no ceasefire. In this regard, President Joe Biden urged Hamas on Monday to release their hostages as a prerequisite for initiating ceasefire negotiations.
For the families of those held, theres no time to waste.
Daniel Lifshitz said seeing his grandmother had shown him that other hostages need to be freed as soon as possible.
"I insist, urgency is crucial when witnessing my grandmother's condition," he emphasized.
"Time is running out and... rescuing all those hostages has become increasingly evident - it's now the foremost mission for everyone."
