"Rather Death Is a Blessing"... Dramatic Return of 9-Year-Old Israeli Girl Who Moved the World

Kidnapped by Hamas While Sleeping at Friend's House Last Month
Father Tears Up Saying "Better Dead Than a Hostage" Amid Death Rumors
Back in Father's Arms After 50 Days of Abduction

"Rather than having my child trapped in a dark room suffering every moment, death would be a blessing."

This was the heart-wrenching confession of a father whose 9-year-old daughter was taken by the Palestinian armed group Hamas upon hearing the news of her death.

The story of Thomas Hand (63), the father who tried to smile through tears, moved the entire world and reminded everyone once again of the horrors of war. But then a miracle happened. Emily Hand (9), who was believed to be dead, returned to her father's arms after 50 days of captivity.

Emily (9), who was held hostage by Hamas and released after 50 days on the 25th (local time), reunited with her father Thomas Hand (63).
[Photo by Yonhap News]

On the 25th (local time), according to foreign media including Times of Israel (TOI), BBC, and AP News, Emily was among the 13 Israeli hostages released by Hamas on the second day of the temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Emily was kidnapped by Hamas on October 7 while sleeping at a friend's house in the Israeli Be'eri Kibbutz near the Gaza Strip.

TOI reported that Emily was one of the second group of hostages released, arriving in Israel via the Egyptian Rafah border and reuniting with her father Thomas. The outlet also released a photo of Emily and Thomas together.

Initially, Emily was reported to have been killed immediately after Hamas's surprise attack, but it was only at the end of last month that it was revealed she was alive and held hostage. Upon hearing the rumors of his daughter's death, Thomas said it might have been better for her to have died painlessly than to be taken hostage, bringing tears to people worldwide.

In an interview with CNN aired on October 11, Thomas said, "Someone told me, 'We found Emily. She is dead,' and I just said 'yes' with a smile," adding, "Emily's death was the best news among all the possibilities I considered." He continued, "Emily was either dead or in the Gaza Strip. If you know what Hamas does to people in Gaza, it would be worse than death," and said, "Rather than having a child trapped in a dark room suffering every moment, death is a blessing. An absolute blessing." At the time, he added that he planned to bury Emily next to his wife, who had passed away from cancer several years ago.

However, 20 days later, on October 31, another shocking update came. Emily was still alive and held hostage in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli military reported that no body or blood traces of Emily were found at the disaster site, and the phone of the friend’s family who was with her was detected within Gaza.

Thomas is shedding tears during a press conference on the 20th.
[Photo by AFP Yonhap News]

On November 7, Thomas gave another interview to CNN, saying, "What Emily has to endure now is painful," and "I am praying again for my daughter's safe return." He expressed concern, saying, "I worry so much about her, about what kind of environment she is in... it's a terrible thought." Later, in an interview with AP News on November 22, he shared, "I had to process this new information by thinking hard. When they told me, I just said, 'No, no, no.'"

Originally from Ireland, Thomas immigrated to Israel about 30 years ago. Emily celebrated her 9th birthday on November 17 while still held hostage. On the 50th day of her kidnapping, the 25th, Emily was able to return to Israel and celebrate her birthday belatedly with her father.

Meeting his daughter, whom he thought was dead, Thomas could not hide his joy, exclaiming, "Emily is back!" He told the BBC, "Fifty days of hardship and complicated emotions have passed, and I cannot find words to express these feelings," and expressed gratitude to everyone who helped rescue Emily and comforted the families during this time. He also said, "I am happy to hold Emily again, but at the same time, I remember all the other hostages who have not yet returned," and added, "We will do our best to bring them home."