Loved ones of young Irish hostage Emily Hand said at a vigil on her birthday they remain positive she will get home safely.
But they warned yesterday the stress of her abduction means it is hard for dad Tom “to keep going”. Emily was kidnapped by Hamas terrorists after they killed 1,200 Israelis on October 7, sparking a Israeli military response in Gaza.
Palestine claims the death toll is at more than 11,000. Emily, who just turned nine, was initially feared to have died in last month’s attack, with her father, who is from Dublin, saying her death was a “blessing”.
Read more: Family of hostage Emily Hand gather in Stephen's Green for her ninth birthday
Read more: Dublin family that fled Gaza for Ireland 'torn' to leave behind loves ones in warzone
He explained it was a relief to discover she was dead and not taken hostage. Diplomatic efforts by Ireland to secure Emily’s release are ongoing.
Yesterday, a birthday party was held at St Stephen’s Green in Dublin for her with family members displaying a poster which read “bring her home now”.
Emily’s cousin Anna Byrne said: “We are so thankful to the organisers. The whole family is so thankful for keeping Emily in everybody’s hearts and minds.
“It is quite sad today because we were hoping to have her home for her birthday. We don’t know what type of birthday she is having. I just thought I would come to represent the family and to be here for Emily and to wish her a happy birthday.
“We are trying to keep strong and positive. We worry about Tom.
“He is doing so much and it is hard for him to keep going. It is a horrific time so we just try to give as much support as we can and send our love and best wishes, but it is hard.
“You feel useless, not being able to do anything and they are so far away. None of us can go to Israel, so it is very hard, but we are keeping positive and just praying and hoping.
“The family are so positive, that is the thing that is keeping us all going, the positivity that we are going to
see Emily.”
As part of the diplomatic efforts, Tom spoke with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Tanaiste Micheal Martin to appeal for help. The Tanaiste, who is in Egypt to campaign for her release, said yesterday: “The focus of my visit was to really engage with people in respect of Emily Hand and prioritise her release.
“That would have involved our discussions with the Egyptian Foreign Minister, in particular, and with Palestinian authorities. We have exhausted all channels to make sure that if there is to be a release of hostages, and there is much expectation and discussion that would be on a higher level, that Emily Hand would be amongst the first to be released.
“Following my phone call with Tom Hand last week when I was in China we determined to go out ourselves in person.”
It was at Kibbutz Be’eri near Gaza in Israel that Hamas attacked while Emily had gone for a sleepover in a friend’s house. Reports revealed how Tom was “pinned down under heavy gunfire unable to reach his daughter” for 12 hours.
It was not until two days after the attack on October 7 that he was told that Emily’s body had been found. Tom revealed: “They just said, ‘We’ve found Emily, she’s dead’.
“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. So death was a blessing.”
Tom was told weeks later that Emily was thought to be alive in Gaza. Emily’s sister Natali said on Israeli TV: “We are doing everything to get you home. We know you are being held hostage.
“We love you so much and miss you.”
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