The father of a young Irish-Israeli girl kidnapped by Hamas has told of how she is “smiling again” one year on from her frightening hostage ordeal.
Thomas Hand, who is originally from Dun Laoghaire in Dublin, has revealed that his young daughter Emily Hand (9) “still has nightmares”, but is starting to “enjoy life” once again.
Emily was abducted while at a sleepover in Kibbutz Be’eri during the Hamas attack on October 7 last year and held hostage in Gaza for 50 days.
She was one of 250 people taken that day.
Her capture made headlines around the world after her father broke down in tears as he said he hoped she had died in the October 7 invasion, rather than being held by Hamas.
A devastated Mr Hand said “death was a blessing” after initially being told Emily had been killed.
The young girl was later freed by militants in November 2023, in a deal which also saw Palestinians held in Israel released.
There were emotional scenes as footage was shown of Emily running into her father’s arms after she was freed.
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Speaking one year on from his daughter’s abduction, Mr Hand has told The Sun of how Emily was “getting back to her old self”.
“Emily went through absolute hell but she’s a fighter - and she is smiling again,” he said.
“When she was released she was afraid to speak in more than a whisper because the terrorists had threatened to shoot or stab her if she made too much noise.
“But a year later she’s getting back to her old self and is as noisy and boisterous as ever - I never complain now no matter how noisy she gets.
“We have a new home in a new, safe, kibbutz further from Gaza and she’s back at school with some of her old friends and starting to enjoy life again.
“It’s awful remembering the dark times but I have to be thankful that I got her back and give her every chance to be happy and enjoy every day.
“Her recovery shows the terrorists that they will never beat her, they will never beat me, they will never beat the people of my kibbutz and they will never beat Israel.
“Hamas attacked us but they have succeeded only in making us stronger, more united and more determined.”
However, he said Emily - who turned nine while in Gaza before her release - Is still dealing with the impact of her terrifying experience.
“Emily still gets scared of loud noises and wasn’t able to sleep alone for a long time after she came back,” he added.
‘She still has nightmares but counselling has helped and things are much better now.
‘She spent her last birthday in hell so I’ll be making sure she has a party to remember this year when she turns 10 on October 17.
“We’re happy now but things will never truly be the same and no one feels able to properly resume their lives until the remaining hostages in Gaza are free.
“This October 7 we’ll be remembering those who died but also those still being held.
“I feel incredibly lucky to have Emily back but our thoughts are always with the hostages.”
