Emily Hand, the nine-year old Irish-Israeli girl who was kidnapped by Hamas in the 7th October attacks, has been freed.
Emily, who celebrated her ninth birthday while in captivity, was reunited with her father Thomas Hand on Saturday. A photo of the pair together has sparked an outpouring of joy and relief across social media, after the child was released as part of a deal to free 50 hostages was agreed between Hamas and Israel.
Emily was among 240 people who were taken hostage by Palestinian militants. She spent a total of 50 days in captivity after being kidnapped by Hamas terrorists while at a sleepover at a friend’s house in kibbutz Be’eri.
Emily was handed over to Red Cross representatives in Khan Yunis, and driven to the Rafah crossing. She was finally reunited with her father, Dún Laoghaire man Thomas Hand, at a hospital in Israel after those freed crossed the border into Egypt.
The little girl was initially believed to have been killed in the Hamas attacks, and it was three weeks before her family were informed she was likely to be among those kidnapped.
Tonight, Tánaiste Micheál Martin said it was a “precious and deeply moving moment” for Emily’s family as he spoke about her father’s fight to bring Emily home.
“After weeks of trauma, this is a precious and deeply moving moment for the Hand family. The people of Ireland have been touched by Emily’s story, her innocence and the quiet dignity and determination of her father, Tom,” he said in a statement shared on X.
“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.”
My statement on the release on Emily Hand. pic.twitter.com/hU1ENiJJrh
— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) November 25, 2023
An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, said it was “a day of enormous joy and relief for Emily Hand and her family.”
“An innocent child who was lost has now been found and returned, and we breathe a massive sigh of relief. Our prayers have been answered,” he said.
This is a day of enormous joy and relief for Emily Hand and her family. An innocent child who was lost has now been found and returned, and we breathe a massive sigh of relief. Our prayers have been answered.
— Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) November 25, 2023
Emily’s father Thomas Hand refused to give up the hope of seeing his daughter again — making numerous television and press appearances to plead for her safe release. Speaking last week, Mr Hand, 63, said his “sole purpose” in life was “to do everything I can to get my little daughter Emily back,” adding, “Nothing else concerns me.”
The moment Emily Hand is reunited with her father Tom, after fifty days being held hostage by Hamas in Gaza @rtenews pic.twitter.com/g7bGBjTKAJ
— Fran McNulty (@franmcnulty) November 26, 2023