Islamic Jihad to release body of UK-linked hostage Oded Lifshitz on Thursday

Islamic Jihad plans to release the body of Oded Lifshitz, an 84-year-old UK-linked hostage, on Thursday. His family has not received updates on his status since he was taken during the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. Lawyers for Lifshitz's daughter express concerns that the release could be used for propaganda. They emphasize the lack of information about whether he is alive and question the dignity with which the bodies will be treated. A Hamas official announced that four bodies will be returned and six living hostages freed on Saturday. This is part of a deal to gradually release 33 hostages, with eight believed to be dead.