The speaker recalls the moment her freed mother, an Israeli hostage, shook hands with the Hamas terrorist who held her captive. This act of acknowledging the humanity in the other person made the speaker smile. It was a profound moment that highlighted the ability to see past conflict and recognize the human being in each other. The speaker's aunt had expressed the desire to bring people out of conflict zones, which resonated with the moment of seeing her mother emerge peacefully from captivity. Witnessing her mother's peaceful sleep in the hospital further emphasized the theme of seeing the human side in others, even amidst conflict.
Warning: this episode contains descriptions of violence.
It’s been nearly six months since the Hamas-led attacks on Israel, when militants took more than 200 hostages into Gaza.
In a village called Nir Oz, near the border, one quarter of residents were either killed or taken hostage. Yocheved Lifshitz and her husband, Oded Lifshitz, were among those taken.
Today, Yocheved and her daughter Sharone tell their story.
Guest:
- Yocheved Lifshitz, a former hostage.
- Sharone Lifschitz, daughter of Yocheved and Oded Lifshitz.
Background reading:
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