Release of Irish-Israeli Hamas hostage not expected
Emily was in Kibbutz Be'eri, about three miles from Gaza, when Hamas launched its attack on 7 October
- Published
The family of Irish-Israeli girl Emily Hand do not expect her to be among the first group of Israeli hostages to be released by Hamas.
A spokesperson for Tom Hand, the father of nine-year-old Emily, told Irish broadcaster RT脡 that she is not on the list of 13 people expected to be released on Friday.
The family have no information about future lists, the spokesperson added.
Israel and Hamas have reached a deal to exchange 50 of the hostages - all of them women and children - held in Gaza for a four-day pause in fighting.
Emily Hand's family believed she had been killed in the attacks on Israel
Emily Hand鈥檚 Dublin-born father Tom was initially informed that his daughter was among a group of people killed in an attack on a kibbutz on 7 October.
The Irish embassy in Israel later confirmed to RT脡 that Emily was believed to have been abducted rather than killed.
Emily was in Kibbutz Be'eri, about three miles from Gaza, when Hamas launched its attack.
More than 100 people were killed in the kibbutz.
- Published23 November 2023
- Published23 November 2023
- Published7 October
Israel began attacking Gaza after Hamas fighters crossed the border on 7 October, killing 1,200 Israelis and taking more than 200 hostages.
Since the Hamas attacks of 7 October, Israel has been carrying out military action in Gaza.
The agreement to exchange 50 of the hostages should also see 150 Palestinian women and teenagers held in Israeli jails released and an increase in humanitarian aid allowed into Gaza.
Mediator Qatar said the pause would start at 07:00 local time (05:00 GMT) on Friday and the first group of 13 hostages would be released about 16:00.