In this episode of The Daily, a tragic story unfolds amidst the conflict between Hamas and Israel. It centers around Yoheved Lifshitz, a kibbutz dweller dedicated to socialist principles and equality, and her husband Oded, an advocate for displaced Bedouins and a fervent participant in the peace movement.
Their lives were upended when Hamas militants attacked their community, leaving casualties, abductions, and a trail of destruction. The podcast delves into the harrowing details of Yoheved's captivity, her unexpected release, and Oded's uncertain fate as an ongoing hostage of Hamas. It captures the aftermath of the attack, the shattered lives of survivors grappling with grief and uncertainty, and the resilience of hope in the face of immense adversity.
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In the kibbutz established by Yoheved and Oded, a utopian and revolutionary lifestyle flourished, built on the principles of socialism and equality. Yoheved, also known as Yochaev Edelivshitz, and Oded dedicated themselves to communal living, sharing all resources, including the collective rearing of children. They transformed a barren, sandy area near the Gaza Strip into a cultivated haven. Post the 1967 Arab-Israeli War, Oded advocated for the rights of displaced Bedouin Arabs and against the occupation of lands, participating actively in the peace movement. He also assisted Palestinians by driving them to Israeli and East Jerusalem hospitals for medical care.
On October 7th, the kibbutz of Nir Oz was devastated by a Hamas terrorist attack. The village of Nieroz suffered casualties, abductions, and the destruction of property. Yoheved and Oded Lifshitz were among those taken hostage. Yoheved's home was burned down during the incursion, and both she and Oded were kidnapped after Oded had been shot. As hostages, they endured a terrifying journey, including being moved through a series of underground tunnels, which tragically mirrored the tumultuous events happening above ground.
During Yoheved's captivity, she existed in harsh conditions within an underground prison, lying on mattresses and sometimes allowed minimal movement. With a sparse diet and suffering from a severe illness, she experienced considerable hardship. Her release was abrupt and came with no prior notification. Disguised as an Arab woman alongside another released girl, Yoheved was only made aware of her impending release during the escape process, which involved navigating various corridors and ascending to freedom.
The aftermath of the Hamas attack left the Nieroz community crippled. One-fourth of its residents were impacted severely, with many killed or kidnapped and homes destroyed. Oded's fate remains uncertain, causing immense distress to his family, who are desperate for his safe return. Yoheved now resides in an assisted living facility in Tel Aviv's suburbs, surrounded by faces from her past kibbutz life. She holds onto hope that Oded will return so they can rebuild their lives, a hope symbolized by the piano waiting for him to play once again.
1-Page Summary
Sharone Lifshitz discusses the utopian and revolutionary life Yoheved Lifshitz and her partner Oded created in their kibbutz.
Yoheved Lifshitz, often referred to as Yochaev Edelivshitz, was part of a group that built a community with the principle of raising their children collectively and sharing all resources. Yoheved and Oded shared a vision of building not just a family but a socialist, equal state. The couple believed firmly in a communal living approach, where everything from money and food to the responsibilities of child rearing was collectively managed and shared.
Yoheved mentioned that their community was formed on sandy territory near the Gaza Strip, signifying how they worked together to cultivate the land. They started with an isolated area that had only two houses and shacks surrounded by much sand. They transformed this challenging landscape into what was described as a haven. Oded plowed the fields, planting various crops, while Yoheved managed the turkeys and worked in the kitchen to prepare meals for the entire kibbutz community.
The couple's vision extended beyond their kibbutz to broader issues of peace and reconciliation. After the Arab-Israeli war of 1967, with tensions over Israel's capture of new territories, Oded became an outspoken advocate against the occupation. He voiced his belief that Israel should not displace Bedouin Arabs and that Israel already had ample land within its internationally recognized borders.
When Israeli authorities pushed Bedouin Arabs off their land in the Sinai Peninsul ...
Life in the kibbutz built by Yoheved and Oded
On October 7th, a traumatic event unfolded as Hamas terrorists attacked Israel, particularly targeting the kibbutz of Nir Oz, leading to widespread loss and the taking of hostages.
During the chaos of the attack, more than 200 people were taken into Gaza, with the village of Nieroz, near the border with Gaza, suffering numerous casualties and abductions. Among those abducted were Yoheved and Oded Lifshitz. Yoheved's home was completely burned down during the attack.
Oded Lifshitz was shot during the invasion and subsequently taken captive. Similarly, Yoheved Lifshitz was also kidnapped by the terrorists, and the details surrounding their capture remain sparse.
Yoheved Lifshitz, expecting she was being kidnapped, made the conscious decision to memorize details of her surroundings, potentially to aid in any future reporting if she were to be released. She recounted being initially taken on a moped to a village near Oz, known as Khirbat Haza, before being transferred to a car. During this process, she was forced to surrender her personal belongings, including her watch and ring.
Subsequently, Yoheved was led to a large hangar which concealed an entrance to a ...
The Hamas attack on October 7
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The events surrounding Yoheved's captivity under harsh conditions and her unexpected release are recounted, providing insights into the harrowing experiences she endured.
Yoheved, along with other hostages, was instructed to sit on mattresses in a chamber, an environment reflective of their immense psychological trauma. In an underground prison, she spent most days lying down on one of the mattresses provided by her captors. Although she was sometimes allowed to stretch her legs in the tunnels, the full extent of her living conditions, including the size of her room and the amenities provided, remains unclear.
There is no information provided about any interactions with Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.
Yoheved's daily diet consisted of a cucumber, spreading cheese, and a piece of pita bread, along with coffee in the morning and water throughout the day. During her captivity, sh ...
Yoheved's captivity and release
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The community of Nieroz has been gravely affected, with a significant number of its residents facing dire consequences in the aftermath of a Hamas attack.
In a devastating blow to the small community of Nieroz, one quarter of its residents were either killed or taken as hostages during the Hamas attack. This tragic event has left an indelible mark on the town, tearing apart the fabric of a once peaceful community and leaving many homes in ruins.
The uncertainty surrounding Oded Lifshitz's fate has left his family in a state of limbo. Sharone Lifshitz holds up a poster that pleads "Bring him home now," signaling the desperation and hope that Oded will be able to share his story once again. The lack of information has ignited a fear for his health and safety, and the family is calling for his safe return.
Amid the turmoil, Yoheved Lifshitz has been placed in an assisted living facility in the suburbs o ...
Lives upended in the aftermath
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