Current:Home > ContactEmily Hand, Israeli-Irish 9-year-old girl who was believed killed by Hamas, among hostages freed from Gaza -FinanceMind
Emily Hand, Israeli-Irish 9-year-old girl who was believed killed by Hamas, among hostages freed from Gaza
View
Date:2025-04-12 09:49:48
Emily Hand — the Israeli-Irish 9-year-old girl who was initially believed to have been killed by Hamas — was among the 17 hostages freed from Gaza on Saturday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said in a statement.
She was released with the second batch of hostages – 13 Israelis and four Thai Nationals – after an initial hostage release on Friday, the first day of the temporary cease-fire.
Emily was among seven children ranging from 3 to 16, and six women ranging in age from 18 to 67, who were released in the second batch, the prime minister's office announced.
Emily, who was 8 years old when she was abducted by Hamas during their Oct. 7 terror attacks on Israel, was initially believed to be killed by the militant group. She celebrated her ninth birthday on Nov. 17 in captivity in Gaza.
Her father, Thomas Hand, told CBS News two days before his daughter's birthday, "The sad thing about it is, she won't even know what day it is. She won't know whether it's night or day. She won't even though it's her birthday."
Hand said that his little girl was at a sleepover at a friend's house at Kibbutz Be'eri when the massacre took place. Israel said more than 100 people were killed in that community alone, among the more than 1,200 who were killed in the Hamas attack.
At the time, her father, an Irish national who is not Jewish and moved to Israel as a kibbutz volunteer three decades ago, was told by Israeli officials that his daughter had been killed. Hand told CBS News at first he was informed "she was found dead."
At the time, Hand told CNN he was relieved by the knowledge that Emily was at least not in Hamas' hands.
"The thought of a little eight-year-old child in the hands of those animals... Can you imagine the sheer horror for an 8-year-old child?"
A few weeks later, however, Israeli authorities told Hand his daughter might be alive, as they didn't find her remains at Kibbutz Be'eri.
Hand was filled with hope. He pressed governments around the world not to give up on the hostage release.
"It doesn't matter how sick I am. It doesn't matter how tired I am. We are going to get her back," he told CBS News.
Emily has now been reunited with her family after 50 days in captivity in Gaza. In a statement to CBS News Saturday, her family said, "Emily has come back to us! We can't find the words to describe our emotions after 50 challenging and complicated days."
They added that while they are "overjoyed to embrace Emily again," at the same time they remember "all the hostages who have yet to return."
"We appreciate the unwavering support as we continue our efforts for the safe return of all," the statement read.
— Elaine Cobbe and Analisa Novak contributed to this report.
- In:
- War
- Hostage Situation
- Hamas
- Israel
- Gaza Strip
Cara Tabachnick is a news editor and journalist at CBSNews.com. Cara began her career on the crime beat at Newsday. She has written for Marie Claire, The Washington Post, and The Wall Street Journal. She reports on justice and human rights issues. Contact her at cara.tabachnick@cbsinteractive.com
veryGood! (1)
Related
- Skins Game to make return to Thanksgiving week with a modern look
- Live updates | UN court keeps genocide case against Israel alive as Gaza death toll surpasses 26,000
- 20 Secrets About She's All That Revealed
- US condemns ban on Venezuelan opposition leader’s candidacy and puts sanctions relief under review
- Finally, good retirement news! Southwest pilots' plan is a bright spot, experts say
- Australian Open men's singles final: How to watch Daniil Medvedev vs. Jannik Sinner
- Patrick Mahomes vs. Lamar Jackson with Super Bowl at stake. What else could you ask for?
- Remembering the horrors of Auschwitz, German chancellor warns of antisemitism, threats to democracy
- Tom Holland's New Venture Revealed
- Chiefs are in their 6th straight AFC championship game, and this is the 1st for the Ravens at home
Ranking
- Gen. Mark Milley's security detail and security clearance revoked, Pentagon says
- LeBron James outduels Steph Curry with triple-double as Lakers beat Warriors in double-OT
- Khloe Kardashian's Son Tatum Bonds With Their Cat in Adorable Video
- Mexico confirms some Mayan ruin sites are unreachable because of gang violence and land conflicts
- Opinion: Gianni Infantino, FIFA sell souls and 2034 World Cup for Saudi Arabia's billions
- Finns go to the polls to elect a new president at an unprecedented time for the NATO newcomer
- 2 masked assailants attach a church in Istanbul and kill 1 person
- Former NBA All-Star DeMarcus 'Boogie' Cousins spotted making bubble tea for fans in Taiwan
Recommendation
Woman dies after Singapore family of 3 gets into accident in Taiwan
T.J. Otzelberger 'angry' over 'ludicrous rumors' Iowa State spied on Kansas State huddles
Biden is trying to balance Gaza protests and free speech rights as demonstrators disrupt his events
Gunmen kill 9 people in Iran near border with Pakistan
Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
Finns go to the polls to elect a new president at an unprecedented time for the NATO newcomer
US sees signs of progress on deal to release hostages, bring temporary pause to Israel-Hamas war
Science sleuths are using technology to find fakery in published research