Tom Hand was originally told his daughter Emily was feared dead after the assault on Kibbutz Be’eri. However, it was reported in Israel on Sunday that the eight-year-old’s family have been informed she may still be alive and being held hostage in Gaza.Mr Hand had initially said he was relieved when he was told his daughter had died because being held hostage in Gaza was "worse than death.
Half-sister Natalie told the local broadcaster Channel 12: "I want to tell you that we are doing everything to get you home. We know you are being held hostage. We love you so much and miss you."Ireland’s Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said the Hand family were going through an “absolutely unimaginable” experience.She told reporters: "Everything that can be done will be done to ensure that she is released and that she is safe.
"So I think we need to be very sensitive to the fact that this is a changing and dynamic environment for all involved."