Irish-Israeli girl whose dad said it was a 'blessing' she was murdered not kidnapped may actually be Hamas hostage
Emily Hand was presumed dead in the October 7 attacks on Israel
CNN/Family Handout
An Irish-Israeli girl who was believed to have been murdered by Hamas may have in fact survived, her family have been told.
Emily Hand, 8, was presumed dead in the October 7 attacks on Israel, however now it is suspected that she may have been abducted rather than killed.
Her father, Tom Hand, upon learning of her supposed death, said that it was a “blessing” that she was murdered rather than kidnapped by Hamas.
Israeli intelligence have now told her family that there was a “high chance” she was alive, after Irish embassy tests discovered that her DNA had not been found among victims who were slaughtered at Kibbutz Be’eri.
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The 8-year-old was having a sleepover at a friend’s house in the kibbutz when Hamas launched its attack on Israel.
Irish embassy tests discovered that her DNA had not been found among victims at Kibbutz Be'eri
Reuters
Emily, her friend, and her friend’s mother are believed to be among the 240 hostages taken by Hamas.
Her father gave a heart-breaking interview shortly after he had been informed that she had been killed.
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At least 130 people were killed on the attack on Kibbutz Be'eri
Reuters
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,” he tearfully told CNN.
“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.”
Her family were informed on October 31 that Israeli intelligence obtained from Gaza that she was likely alive, being kept as a hostage by Hamas.
“We were told that she had been murdered. We were in mourning,” Emily’s 26-year-old sister Natalie told Israeli TV after learning she may still be alive.
The 8-year-old was having a sleepover at a friend’s house in the kibbutz when the attack began
Reuters
Addressing Emily directly, she added: “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.”
Natalie’s boyfriend, Natty Virado, said: “This story just keeps piling up. This nightmare is coming to life. Thomas is holding up: We’re all holding up. Everyone in the family is dealing with their own grief and doing their best.”
Virado called on the Irish government to do all they can to help save Emily.
Tom Hand posted on Facebook to state he was certain that Narkris, his ex-wife and the mother of his two older children, had “definitely [been] murdered” by Hamas.
He said that Emily’s reported death had been an “identity mistake”.
Hand was born in Ireland, grew up in England and then moved to Israel when he was an adult.
After divorcing Narkris, he married Emily’s mother, who died of breast cancer five years ago.
“This is a hugely traumatic situation for her family and for every family who finds themselves with their loved one held hostage,” Justice Minister Helen McEntee told RTE, Ireland’s state broadcaster.