Lifshitz was one of four women freed by Hamas early in the war (Reuters)
Jerusalem:
An 85-year-old Israeli woman, Yocheved Lifshitz, who was kidnapped by Hamas on October 7 and set free two weeks later, shared her encounter with the Gaza leader Yahya Sinwar during her captivity. She courageously confronted Sinwar, questioning his violent actions against peace activists like herself.
Lifshitz recounted her experience with Sinwar when he visited the hostages in an underground tunnel where Hamas was holding them captive. “Sinwar was with us three to four days after we arrived,” Lifshitz told the Hebrew-language Davar newspaper. “I asked him how he is not ashamed to do such a thing to people who all these years have supported peace.”
She continued, recalling, “He didn’t answer. He was silent.”
Lifshitz, known as a peace activist, along with her husband, had been helping sick Palestinians in Gaza get to hospitals for years. Unfortunately, her 83-year-old husband, Oded, was also kidnapped from their home and remains in captivity.
Speaking with reporters following her release from Hamas captivity last month, Lifshitz expressed the immense hardship she endured during her two weeks as a hostage in the Gaza Strip.
Lifshitz also revealed that she was one of four women freed by Hamas early in the war. Despite being beaten during her abduction, she was treated well during her two-week captivity.
Upon her release, she surprised many by turning to shake the hand of a masked captor. When asked why, she responded, “They treated us gently and met all our needs.”
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