He believed his daughter was killed by Hamas Now he suspects she might be held captive
A grieving father, Thomas Hand, initially believed his 8-year-old daughter was killed in the Hamas attacks on Israel However, he now finds some solace in the thought that she may be held hostage instead
Thomas Hand found some consolation in the fact that his 8-year-old daughter, who he believed was killed in the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7th, was not taken hostage by the militants. Among all the dreadful scenarios, her death was the least agonizing, according to Hand.
But then the Israeli military gave him the news that nearly made him collapse.
Emily might still be alive.
Hand informed CNN that it is highly probable that she is currently located in a tunnel beneath Gaza, citing recent intelligence shared by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).
He shared that her birthday falls on November 17th and she will be turning 9 years old. However, due to her circumstances, she will be unaware of the significance of the day and will not have the opportunity to celebrate with a birthday cake, friends, or a party. Instead, she will be filled with fear while trapped underground in the Gaza tunnel.
CNN has reached out to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) for comment.
Emily Hand, 8, was believed to have been killed during the attack in Be'eri on October 7.
Courtesy Tom Hand
Emily was sleeping at her friend's house in the Beeri kibbutz when a brutal and senseless rampage by Hamas militants occurred one month ago. This tragic incident resulted in the loss of over 120 lives and the abduction of numerous residents, leaving a profound and lasting impact on the tightly-knit border community.
According to the IDF's assessment, Hamas currently holds approximately 240 Israeli hostages in Gaza, comprising of innocent civilians, men, women, and children.
The militant group has only released four hostages so far, which include two elderly Israeli women and an American mother and daughter. In contrast, last week, the IDF declared that they had successfully rescued an Israeli soldier.
Details regarding the status and location of the remaining hostages are limited. However, it is believed that many of them are trapped within the intricate network of Hamas tunnels that have been constructed beneath the enclave.
Emily Hand, 8, was killed during Hamas' attack in Be'eri on Saturday.
Courtesy Tom Hand
The close-knit kibbutz that became home to a massacre
Israel maintains that a ceasefire will only occur once the captives have been released.
In a previous interview with CNN, Hand disclosed that he had fervently prayed for his daughter's safety, enduring two days of agonizing uncertainty before being informed by kibbutz members and a group of medical professionals that she had tragically passed away.
"I exclaimed with joy and a wide smile painted across my face. It was the most promising news I could have hoped for," he choked out, tears flowing down his cheeks.
"Either she had passed away or was trapped in Gaza. And if you are aware of the horrors inflicted upon individuals in Gaza, you understand that it is a fate worse than death."
Hand had intended to organize a funeral for Emily in order to lay her to rest beside her mother, who had passed away from cancer a few years earlier. However, according to Hand, the Israeli military informed him that Emily's body was not among the remains of the other victims. Additionally, there was no evidence of blood inside the house where she had slept on the night preceding the attacks.
Thomas Hand said he was told Emily might be alive and taken hostage in Gaza.
CNN
The military also said Chúng tôi belonging to the family Emily was staying with had been tracked inside Gaza, according to Hand.
Hand expressed a tumultuous mix of hope and despair as his thoughts turned towards Emily. He agonized over the potential suffering she might be enduring, yet continued to offer his fervent prayers for her safe return. "(I am) greatly concerned for her," he confided, acknowledging the daunting uncertainty of the conditions she may have been subjected to.
The survivors of the Beeri massacre are currently residing in a hotel. In the hotel lobby, there is a vigil being held for the hostages. Emily's picture will be included in the vigil, as mentioned by Hand.
"The uncertainty is distressing, and the anticipation is difficult," he expressed. "Our main focus now is to pray and remain hopeful that she returns, even if in a compromised condition that we can ultimately assist in healing. We will find a way to repair her."
Hands is currently consumed with thoughts of the potential for an emotional reunion with his daughter, whom he had previously believed to be deceased.
"In my mind, I can vividly envision her rushing towards me, and in turn, me rushing towards her, embracing her tightly and refusing to release her," he expressed.
CNNs Ivana Kottasová and Clarissa Ward contributed reporting.
