'She has finally come back to us': Hostage horror is over for Irish girl Emily Hand who is reunited with her devoted father after 50 days of hell
- Irish girl Emily Hand, 9, was reunited with her father after 50 days in captivity
Nine-year-old Irish girl Emily Hand has been reunited with her devoted father after she was held hostage by Hamas for 50 days.
Hamas finally freed her on Saturday after initially refusing to let her go.
Emily, an Irish-Israeli citizen, was kidnapped during Hamas' invasion of Israel on October 7 and taken into Gaza. She had her ninth birthday while in captivity.
As she was released, her overjoyed family said: 'Emily has come back to us. We can't find the words to describe our emotions after 50 challenging and complicated days.
Clutching a teddy bear, Irish nine-year-old Emily Hand was reunited with her devoted father today after being held by Hamas for 50 days
Emily is pictured arriving in a convoy transporting Israeli hostages released by Hamas
Emily was one of 13 Israeli citizens to be freed tonight from terror group Hamas and had her ninth birthday while in captivity
Her father Tom Hand faced an unbearable two-day wait for news about his daughter Emily after Hamas terrorists stormed the kibbutz where she was staying for a sleepover at her friend's home on October 7.
When he was incorrectly told her body had been found, he welcomed the news because he said it was better than her being taken hostage during the barbaric attack on the Be'eri Kibbutz.
At the time he told CNN: 'She was either dead, or in Gaza. And if you know anything about what they do to people in Gaza, that is worse than death.
'They'd have no food. They'd have no water. She'd be in a dark room filled with Christ knows how many people. And terrified every minute, hour, day, and possible years to come. So death was a blessing. An absolute blessing.'
Around three weeks later Emily's family was told she might not be dead.
'We are overjoyed to embrace Emily again, but at the same time, we remember Raya Rotem and all the hostages who have yet to return.
'We will persist in doing everything in our power to bring them back home.
'We want to express our gratitude to everyone who helped and supported us during the last 50 days until Emily's return.
'We appreciate the unwavering support as we continue our efforts for the safe return of all.'
Earlier, at a press conference in London, Mr Hand said he believed she was facing 'sheer terror and panic every hour of every day.'
'She must be saying every day: ''Where's my daddy? Where's my daddy, why isn't be coming to save me?'''
He added: 'I don't know what condition she's gonna be in, but she's gonna be broken, very broken, mentally and physically, and we'll have to fix that.'
Her older sister, Natalie, told Israeli media: 'We were told that she had been murdered. We were in mourning.
'On October 31, they told us that it was highly likely that she had been abducted.'
When Natalie was asked whether she had anything she wanted to say to Emily, on the off-chance she could be listening, she said: 'I want to tell you that we are doing everything to get you home. We know you are being held hostage.
'We love you so much and miss you.'
Speaking to the Mirror ahead of his daughter's long-awaited release, a relieved Mr Hand said: 'We have been waiting for far too long for this moment. Every day has been a long and painful living nightmare.… my Emily is coming home at last, broken but in one piece.'
Earlier the proud Irishman, who travelled to Israel to be reunited with his little girl, said she would enjoy 'the best birthday party she never had' after having marked turning nine while being held hostage.
Emily was among at least 30 children believed to be still held in Gaza.
Irish Tánaiste Micheál Martin said: 'I am delighted that Emily Hind - 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.
'The people of Ireland have been touched by Emily's story, her innocence and the quiet dignity and determination of her father, Tom.
'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.
A woman holds leaflets picturing Irish-Israeli girl Emily Hand
Emily was snatched in her pyjamas during Hamas' invasion of Israel on October 7, and taken into Gaza. She had her ninth birthday while in captivity
Emily Hand, pictured with another hostage, as they were released back to their families by the Hamas terrorists
Emily with her dog
The family's two dogs are unable to contain their excitement, as they approach the two sisters as they share a long-awaited hug, after Emily was released by the Hamas terrorists
Emily was snatched from her bed at the Kibbutz Be'eri, by Hamas terrorists, while visiting a friend for a sleepover
'She was a little angel and she actually looked like an angel,' Emily's father told the Irish Times, 'she was very, very sociable and she loved music'
Dublin-born Thomas Hand with his daughters Emily and Natali in younger days
Mr Hand said: 'Before this, Emily was always smiling. Her real passion was music."
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