A young Irish-Israeli girl initially feared to have been killed in Hamas’s attack on Israel last month is among the latest group of released hostages.
Emily Hand, who turned nine during her 50 days in captivity, is understood to have been held after being snatched during a sleepover in the deadly assault on Kibbutz Be’eri on October 7.
Her father Thomas, originally from Dun Laoghaire in Dublin, initially thought his daughter had been killed but was later told she had been kidnapped from Kibbutz Be’eri and taken to Gaza.
Mr Hand said at a press conference at the Israeli embassy in London on Monday morning that he was living through a ‘nightmare’ and getting Emily back was his ‘reason for living’.
Mr Hand, who cried as he spoke of his missing daughter, said: ‘I pray I get Emily back.’
Her family in Ireland held a birthday party for her at St Stephen’s Green in the Irish capital.
Her father met Irish president Michael D Higgins, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Tanaiste Micheal Martin.
Mr Varadkar described ‘a day of enormous joy and relief for Emily Hand and her family’.
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‘An innocent child who was lost has now been found and returned, and our country breathes a massive sigh of relief. Our prayers have been answered,’ he said.
‘A little girl was snatched from her home and held captive for almost seven weeks. She spent her ninth birthday as a hostage. We hope she will soon heal and recover from the traumatic experience in the loving embrace of her family.’
He paid tribute to her family’s tireless campaigning for Emily’s release.
‘They travelled across Europe to keep her plight in the public eye. When I met Tom and Natali in Dublin, their pain was etched on their faces, but so was their courage and determination to ensure that Emily would be freed. I shared their grief and was inspired by their example,’ he said.
‘Irish people everywhere share in the relief of Emily’s family. Our thoughts and prayers are with all the hostages in Gaza, but we followed particularly closely the fate of Emily, a dual Irish-Israeli citizen.
‘Since our country first heard that she may still be alive, we have hoped beyond hope that her name would be on one of the lists of hostages to be released.’
Mr Varadkar said while Emily is now returning to her family, it cannot be forgotten that many more hostages remain in captivity in Gaza.
‘Their fate is unknown, but we hope that like Emily, they will also be allowed to return to their homes and their families. We think of all the families suffering in this troubled region, and we redouble our efforts to work for a permanent ceasefire, and for a just and lasting peace,’ he said.
Mr Martin said he is delighted that Emily, ‘a bright and beautiful young girl’, has been released and will be reunited with her family.
‘After weeks of trauma, this is a precious and deeply moving moment for the Hand family,’ he said.
‘The people of Ireland have been touched by Emily’s story, her innocence and the quiet dignity and determination of her father Tom.’
He went on: ‘I had the opportunity to meet Tom before travelling to the region, and I was struck by the strength and resilience with which he advocated for his daughter’s release.
‘This is a message that I and my colleagues in government sought to amplify as we engaged internationally, through political, diplomatic and security channels, in a bid to secure Emily’s safe return.
‘I want to acknowledge the role played by the US, Qatar, Egypt and others that have been involved in securing the release of the hostages.
‘I am conscious today that many more hostages remain in the hands of Hamas. I reiterate my call that all hostages in Gaza should be released immediately and unconditionally.’
Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald welcomed confirmation that Emily Hand is returning to her family.
‘The trauma and heartbreak that little Emily and her family have been subjected to over the last number of weeks is unimaginable,’ she said.
‘I commend the mediators’ efforts, including the government of Qatar and all other neighbouring states, for the constructive role that they have played in securing the release of Emily and the other hostages, as well as Palestinian women and children who were imprisoned under administrative detention, who are finally reuniting with their loved ones today.
‘I reiterate my call that all hostages be released urgently and for an immediate full ceasefire to be in place. Ireland must continue to be a voice for peaceful dialogue on the international stage.’
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