Irish-Israeli Father Awaits News of Nine-Year Old Daughter

Thomas Hand’s life was turned upside down when Hamas went on a killing rampage on Oct. 7 in the Kibbutz Be’eri where his daughter Emily was attending a sleepover. The Irish-Israeli initially thought Emily was among the dead. About three weeks later, Israeli authorities told him that Emily had likely been abducted, but there was no proof she was alive.

Hand has been on a whirlwind campaign in Ireland, the U.K. and the U.S. to keep global attention focused on the hostages, meeting with media outlets and politicians. On Wednesday, he planned to fly back to Tel Aviv to await potential news about Emily with his other children after Israel and Hamas struck a deal for the return of 50 hostages. Last week, Emily turned 9 years old. “We’re hopeful that Emily will be among the first to be released because of her young age and gender,” said Hand. “It can break down in an instant. We’re not getting our hopes up too high.”