HOSTAGE FAMILIES GROW DESPERATE
Newsweek Europe|December 29, 2023
Relatives of Israeli hostages held in Gaza are angry with the government they accuse of failing to do enough to
MATTHEW TOSTEVIN
HOSTAGE FAMILIES GROW DESPERATE

THE PAIN STRUCK DEEP FOR SHARON LIFSHITZ as the truce between Israel and Hamas broke down early this month. Her 85-yearold mother, Yocheved, had been among the first hostages to be freed by Hamas in late October, even before the brief halt in hostilities a month later to swap some of the captives it seized in its unprecedentedly bloody October 7 raid on Israel in exchange for Palestinian security prisoners held in Israeli jails. Her 83-year-old father, Oded, is still in Gaza somewhere. She does not know if he is alive.

"Our loved ones are dying slowly in Gaza. My father is probably a mile from here. He's not far, he's not in another world. You can walk it in half an hour," Lifshitz told Newsweek in the burned ruins of her parents' house in Kibbutz Nir Oz, just three fields away from the Gaza Strip. "They are there. They are dead or they are dying. We don't even know," she said.

"If a ceasefire is the way, then why start the fire again?" she asks, tearing up. "Why are they not back? Why are we not turning every stone? Why are we not saying 'Yes we will do what we take to get them home?"

"We are being failed at the moment, I feel, by all agencies, by all governments and especially the Israeli government," she said. "We do not have this time."

Like many other family members of the hostages still held in Gaza, she is not convinced that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his war cabinet are doing all they can to prioritize getting their relatives out over the other mission of destroying Hamas in a war that has brought devastation to Gaza and killed thousands of Palestinians.

The fears were underlined by the announcement on Friday, December 15, when the army said it had accidentally killed three hostages after erroneously identifying them as a threat.

Red Cross Accused

This story is from the December 29, 2023 edition of Newsweek Europe.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the December 29, 2023 edition of Newsweek Europe.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM NEWSWEEK EUROPEView All
The Invisible Scars Of War
Newsweek Europe

The Invisible Scars Of War

The ongoing conflict with Russia has left 10 million Ukrainians affected by mental health conditions. Now, a community-led program is giving citizens the tools they need to help them overcome their trauma

time-read
6 mins  |
May 24, 2024
Navigating New Horizons: Tayca's Tech Innovation
Newsweek Europe

Navigating New Horizons: Tayca's Tech Innovation

Amidst evolving global markets and demographic shifts, Tayca Corporation harnesses cutting-edge Japanese technology to stay at the forefront, leading in innovation and adapting to changing economic conditions.

time-read
3 mins  |
May 24, 2024
Leading the Waves in LCL Shipping
Newsweek Europe

Leading the Waves in LCL Shipping

With a unique combination of speed, innovation, and a customer-focused approach, Seino Logix dominates the LCL shipping sector, providing top-tier logistics solutions.

time-read
3 mins  |
May 24, 2024
Nikki Glaser
Newsweek Europe

Nikki Glaser

COMEDIAN NIKKI GLASER NEVER WANTS TO OFFEND. \"I NEVER WANT TO say offensive or raunchy [things] or push the envelope, because that speaks to some kind of comedian who wants to rile people up.\"

time-read
2 mins  |
May 24, 2024
Unraveling The Mummy After 25 Years
Newsweek Europe

Unraveling The Mummy After 25 Years

Its stars thought it would flop. Now a quarter of a century after its release, Arnold Vosloo, Rachel Weisz, Patricia Velásquez and Kevin J. O'Connor reflect on the cult classic

time-read
6 mins  |
May 24, 2024
PUBLIC RELATIONS FIRMS 2024
Newsweek Europe

PUBLIC RELATIONS FIRMS 2024

A COMPANY'S ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE with the public is essential. Managing a firm's reputation, driving interest in its products and limiting damage during times of crisis hinge in large part on the abilities of its public relations professionals.

time-read
2 mins  |
May 24, 2024
Work Less, Relax More
Newsweek Europe

Work Less, Relax More

Millennials are ready for a four-day week. The younger generation wants to work fewer hours

time-read
4 mins  |
May 24, 2024
Wildlife Crossings Are a Bear Necessity
Newsweek Europe

Wildlife Crossings Are a Bear Necessity

Safe passages for animals under or over highways are reducing road collisions and could help them to adapt to climate change by seeking out new habitats

time-read
4 mins  |
May 17, 2024
'I Don't Live My Life With the Cameras On'
Newsweek Europe

'I Don't Live My Life With the Cameras On'

Canada's first lady Sophie Grégoire Trudeau talks working through trauma, relationships in the public eye and her new book exploring mental health

time-read
4 mins  |
May 17, 2024
AMERICA'S BEST Maternity HOSPITALS 2024
Newsweek Europe

AMERICA'S BEST Maternity HOSPITALS 2024

THE ARRIVAL OF A HEALTHY BABY BRINGS UNPARALLELED joy. It's no wonder that families welcoming their newest members are looking for high-quality health care to ensure a smooth delivery and reliable postpartum care.

time-read
3 mins  |
May 17, 2024