Israel - Hamas War : 8-Year Girl who was reportedly killed by Hamas now believed to be a hostage in Gaza
It is now thought that the 8-year-old Irish-Israeli child, who was supposedly proclaimed dead following the october 7 Hamas attack, is still alive and being held captive in Gaza. Emily Hand's father said just a month ago that he was "relieved" by her passing and considered it a "blessing" that she was slain rather than abducted. Thomas Hand discussed her apparent death in an emotional interview, stating, "Death was a blessing because 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."
But according to the Times of israel, Emily's family learned on october 31 that their daughter was still alive and had been taken hostage. Natalie, Emily's 26-year-old half-sister, stated, "We were informed that she had been murdered." We were grieving. They informed us on october 31 that there was a good chance she had been taken.
Additionally, the Irish Embassy in israel attested to Emily's kidnapping rather than her death. "I want to tell you that we are doing everything to get you home," Natalie said to Emily in a direct message. We are aware that you are a captive. We miss you and adore you so much.
Natty Virado, Natalie's boyfriend, revealed on sunday that Israeli intelligence feels there's a "high chance" Emily, her friend, and their mother are being kept in Gaza. Virado, 28, stated, "There is just so much more to this story. This is becoming real, this nightmare. We're all holding up, Thomas included. According to the Irish Times, "Everyone in the family is dealing with their own grief and doing their best."
But according to the Times of israel, Emily's family learned on october 31 that their daughter was still alive and had been taken hostage. Natalie, Emily's 26-year-old half-sister, stated, "We were informed that she had been murdered." We were grieving. They informed us on october 31 that there was a good chance she had been taken.
Additionally, the Irish Embassy in israel attested to Emily's kidnapping rather than her death. "I want to tell you that we are doing everything to get you home," Natalie said to Emily in a direct message. We are aware that you are a captive. We miss you and adore you so much.
Natty Virado, Natalie's boyfriend, revealed on sunday that Israeli intelligence feels there's a "high chance" Emily, her friend, and their mother are being kept in Gaza. Virado, 28, stated, "There is just so much more to this story. This is becoming real, this nightmare. We're all holding up, Thomas included. According to the Irish Times, "Everyone in the family is dealing with their own grief and doing their best."