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A nine-year-old girl feared dead by her father after she was captured by Hamas has been released.
Emily Hand, nine, was held hostage by militants in Gaza after she was captured in the deadly attack on Kibbutz Be’eri on October 7.
Her father Thomas, originally from Dun Laoghaire in Dublin, made an emotional appeal for her release last week, saying the family was living a “nightmare” and getting Emily back was his “reason for living”.
Emily was one of several children released by Hamas
(AP)
Following her release, Emily’s family released a statement saying they were “overjoyed” to be able to hug nine-year-old Agin and thanked the world for its “unwavering support” in trying to ensure her return.
“After 50 challenging and complicated days, we cannot find words to describe our feelings.”
Emily had been staying with her friend Hila Rotem, who was also released – although Raya, Hila’s mother, remains in Gaza.
“At the same time, we remember Raya Rotem and all the hostages who have not yet returned,” the family added. “We will continue to do everything in our power to bring her home.”
Emily and her father Thomas Hand, who feared she had been killed
(Natali Hand)
Emily turned nine this month while in captivity and her family in Ireland held a birthday party for her at St. Stephen’s Green in the Irish capital as they campaigned for her release.
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”.
“An innocent child who was lost has now been found and returned, and our country breathes a deep sigh of relief. Our prayers have been answered,” he said.
“A little girl was kidnapped from her home and held captive for almost seven weeks. She spent her ninth birthday as a hostage. We hope that she will soon recover from the traumatic experience in the loving embrace of her family.”
He praised her family’s tireless efforts to secure Emily’s release.
“They traveled all over Europe to make their plight known to the public. When I met Tom and Natali in Dublin, the pain was evident on their faces, but also their courage and determination to ensure that Emily was released. I shared their grief and was inspired by their example,” he said.
“Irish people around the world share the relief for Emily’s family. Our thoughts and prayers are with all the hostages in Gaza, but we have particularly closely followed the fate of Emily, a dual Irish-Israeli citizen.
“Since our country first heard that she might still be alive, we have hoped beyond hope that her name would be on a list of hostages to be released.”
Mr Varadkar said as Emily now returns to her family, it should not be forgotten that many more hostages are being held in Gaza.
“Their fate is unknown, but we hope that, like Emily, they too will be allowed to return to their homes and families. We think of all the families suffering in this crisis region and we redouble our efforts to work for a lasting ceasefire and a just and lasting peace,” he said.