<p>A nine-year-old Irish-Israeli girl Emily Hand who was held captive by Hamas in Gaza following the attacks&nbsp;by the Palestinian group on Israel on October 7, was among the second group of hostages released from Gaza, on Sunday (Nov 26).&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Israeli-Irish girl held captive by Hamas reunites&nbsp;with family</strong></h2>

<p>Emily Hand was released with the second batch of hostages which included 13 Israelis and four Thai nationals after the first group was released on Friday (Nov 24). She was among seven children ranging from three to 16.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In a video posted on YouTube by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Emily can be seen meeting her father Tom for the first time in 50 days. The clip also shows 13-year-old Hila Rotem being welcomed and embraced by her uncle.</p>

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<p>Hand’s family said they “can’t find the words to describe our emotions after 50 challenging and complicated days”.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It added, “We are overjoyed to embrace Emily again, but at the same time, we remember Raya Rotem (Hila’s mother) and all the hostages who have yet to return. We will persist in doing everything in our power to bring them back home”.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Irish PM slammed</strong></h2>

<p>Israeli government spokesperson Eylon Levy slammed Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar over a statement he posted about Emily. Announcing the nine-year-old’s release from Hamas captivity, Varadkar took to X and said “This is a day of enormous joy and relief for Emily Hand and her family.”&nbsp;</p>

<p>“An innocent child who was lost has now been found and returned, and we breathe a massive sigh of relief. Our prayers have been answered,” he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In response to the post, Levy told the Irish PM that Hand wasn’t “lost” but had been “brutally abducted by the death squads that massacred her neighbours”.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He also said the way that Varadkar described Emily’s abduction was “how you describe a little girl who went missing during a stroll in a forest, then gets discovered by a friendly hiker.”</p>

<p>In a subsequent post, the Israeli government spokesperson along with an image of a “Lost and Found Box” said, “No wonder the Irish government opposes Israel’s military pressure on Hamas to release innocent hostages. It thought Emily Hand was hiding here.”</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">No wonder the Irish government opposes Israel’s military pressure on Hamas to release innocent hostages.<br />
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It thought Emily Hand was hiding here. <a href="https://t.co/hcXJAm0obs">pic.twitter.com/hcXJAm0obs</a></p>
— Eylon Levy (@EylonALevy) <a href="https://twitter.com/EylonALevy/status/1728568072770830413?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 26, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>While the Irish PM had previously supported Israel’s right to defend itself he has recently expressed concern about Israel’s constant bombardment and ground operation in Gaza and said that it amounts to “collective punishment” and “something more approaching revenge”.</p>

<h2><strong>About Emily Hand</strong></h2>

<p>Emily was eight years old when she was abducted by Hamas following the October 7 attacks on southern Israel and was initially believed to be killed by the Palestinian militant group. She celebrated her birthday in captivity on October 17.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“The sad thing about it is, she won’t even know what day it is. She won't know whether it's night or day. She won’t even though it’s her birthday,” Emily’s father Tom Hand told CBS News two days before his daughter’s birthday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The nine-year-old had been at a sleepover at a friend’s house in Kibbutz Be’eri when the massacre by Hamas took place. According to Israeli officials, more than 100 people were killed in that community alone.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Her father Thomas, who was born in Ireland and later moved to Israel, told AFP earlier this month that initially he thought his daughter had been killed in the attack.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Later on we had an eyewitness...(who) saw her being led away by the terrorists, into a van off to Gaza” he told the news agency.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)<br />
<br />
<strong>Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.</strong></em></p>


A nine-year-old Irish-Israeli girl Emily Hand who was held captive by Hamas in Gaza following the attacks by the Palestinian group on Israel on October 7, was among the second group of hostages released from Gaza, on Sunday (Nov 26).

A nine-year-old Irish-Israeli girl Emily Hand who was held captive by Hamas in Gaza following the attacks by the Palestinian group on Israel on October 7, was among the second group of hostages released from Gaza, on Sunday (Nov 26). Israeli-Irish girl held captive by Hamas reunites with family Emily Hand was released with the second batch of hostages which included 13 Israelis and four Thai nationals after the first group was released on Friday (Nov 24). She was among seven children ranging from three to 16. In a video posted on YouTube by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Emily can be seen meeting her father Tom for the first time in 50 days. The clip also shows 13-year-old Hila Rotem being welcomed and embraced by her uncle. × Hand’s family said they “can’t find the words to describe our emotions after 50 challenging and complicated days”. It added, “We are overjoyed to embrace Emily again, but at the same time, we remember Raya Rotem (Hila’s mother) and all the hostages who have yet to return. We will persist in doing everything in our power to bring them back home”. Irish PM slammed Israeli government spokesperson Eylon Levy slammed Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar over a statement he posted about Emily. Announcing the nine-year-old’s release from Hamas captivity, Varadkar took to X and said “This is a day of enormous joy and relief for Emily Hand and her family.” “An innocent child who was lost has now been found and returned, and we breathe a massive sigh of relief. Our prayers have been answered,” he added. In response to the post, Levy told the Irish PM that Hand wasn’t “lost” but had been “brutally abducted by the death squads that massacred her neighbours”. He also said the way that Varadkar described Emily’s abduction was “how you describe a little girl who went missing during a stroll in a forest, then gets discovered by a friendly hiker.” In a subsequent post, the Israeli government spokesperson along with an image of a “Lost and Found Box” said, “No wonder the Irish government opposes Israel’s military pressure on Hamas to release innocent hostages. It thought Emily Hand was hiding here.” No wonder the Irish government opposes Israel’s military pressure on Hamas to release innocent hostages. It thought Emily Hand was hiding here. pic.twitter.com/hcXJAm0obs — Eylon Levy (@EylonALevy) November 26, 2023 × While the Irish PM had previously supported Israel’s right to defend itself he has recently expressed concern about Israel’s constant bombardment and ground operation in Gaza and said that it amounts to “collective punishment” and “something more approaching revenge”. About Emily Hand Emily was eight years old when she was abducted by Hamas following the October 7 attacks on southern Israel and was initially believed to be killed by the Palestinian militant group. She celebrated her birthday in captivity on October 17. “The sad thing about it is, she won’t even know what day it is. She won't know whether it's night or day. She won’t even though it’s her birthday,” Emily’s father Tom Hand told CBS News two days before his daughter’s birthday. The nine-year-old had been at a sleepover at a friend’s house in Kibbutz Be’eri when the massacre by Hamas took place. According to Israeli officials, more than 100 people were killed in that community alone. Her father Thomas, who was born in Ireland and later moved to Israel, told AFP earlier this month that initially he thought his daughter had been killed in the attack. “Later on we had an eyewitness...(who) saw her being led away by the terrorists, into a van off to Gaza” he told the news agency. (With inputs from agencies) Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

Watch | Nine-year-old Irish-Israeli girl, once thought to be killed by Hamas, reunites with family

Prison authorities in Israel announced that they released 39 Palestinian detainees and prisoners after Hamas freed 13 hostages under an agreement that came into Force. The freed Palestinian prisoners all women and people under the age of 19. Hundreds of Palestinians celebrated the return of freed prisoners in the early hours in the West Bank.

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Released Palestinians prisoners were carried on people's shoulders as crowds cheer on

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The much-awaited second round of hostage exchange has taken place. Hamas has released 13 Israeli & 4 Thai hostages in exchange for the freedom of another 39 Palestinian prisoners. How will things unfold when this brief pause in fighting comes to an end? Professor James A. Russel, Associate pr#ofessor in the department of National Security Affairs at NPS. An expert on U.S. Foreign policy in the middle east, military innovation, and national security strategy joins us to discuss

Hamas release second group of hostages

The latest from the Israel-Hamas War, 24 hostages have been released by Hamas and 39 prisoners have been released by Israel as a part of a 4-day truce. The war between Israel and Hamas which has been raging for weeks now finally witnesses a few moments of peace. Families on both sides of the war are now reuniting with their lost loved ones.

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<p>Israel on Friday (Nov 24) freed 39 Palestinian women and children from prisons in exchange for the first wave of hostages released by the Hamas in Gaza.</p>

<p>The detainees were welcomed by cheering crowds across the West Bank and some marching in the street carrying Palestinian flags.</p>

<p>A few of them also carried the flag of the Hamas group amid chants&nbsp;in support of Abu Ubaida, the spokesperson of the group's armed wing.</p>

<p>"I am happy but my liberation came at the price of the blood of the martyrs," said Marah Bakir, 24, referring to the nearly 15,000 deaths across the Gaza Strip that its Hamas-led government says were caused by Israel's military offensive.</p>

<p>Freedom from "the four walls of the prison" is "magnificent", said Bakir, who had been in custody for eight years.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-joe-biden-says-in-contact-with-leaders-to-ensure-every-aspect-of-hostage-deal-implemented-662576">US President Joe Biden says in contact with leaders to ensure 'every aspect' of hostage deal implemented</a></p>

<p>"I spent the end of my childhood and my adolescence in prison, far from my parents and their hugs," she told news agency AFP after returning to her family home in Beit Hanina in annexed east Jerusalem.</p>

<p>"That's how it is with a state that oppresses us."</p>

<p>A total of 39 Palestinian women and minors, who were detained in Israel on various charges, were released under the deal brokered by Qatar to pause the fighting in Gaza.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On the other hand, as a part of the agreement, 24 hostages were released by the Hamas group on Friday, which included 13 Israelis, 10 Thais and a Filipino.</p>

<p>Thirteen Israeli hostages were first handed over to the Red Cross, which then placed them in the custody of Israeli forces after a medical examination.</p>

<p>They entered Egypt through the Rafah crossing and were then handed over to the Israeli forces.</p>

<p>Nearly more than 100 Palestinian prisoners are scheduled to be released over the coming four days and more may be released if the truce is extended.</p>

<h2><strong>Some detainees hail Hamas for their release</strong></h2>

<p>Hanan Al-Barghouti, aged 58, who was released after two months in Israeli custody, praised Hamas, its leader, and the people of Gaza.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hamas-release-13-israeli-hostages-12-thai-nationals-amid-truce-in-gaza-662502">Hamas releases 26 hostages amid temporary truce in Gaza</a></p>

<p>"May God reward them well on our behalf," news agency AFP quoted her as saying. "If it were not for the people of Gaza, we would not have seen freedom.</p>

<p>"We were inside the prison, eating bitterness. They were sadists. They insulted us and humiliated us, but our pride is high and our dignity is elevated, thanks to the resistance."</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Israel on Friday (Nov 24) freed 39 Palestinian women and children from prisons in exchange for the first wave of hostages released by the Hamas in Gaza. The detainees were welcomed by cheering crowds across the West Bank and some marching in the street carrying Palestinian flags.

Israel on Friday (Nov 24) freed 39 Palestinian women and children from prisons in exchange for the first wave of hostages released by the Hamas in Gaza. The detainees were welcomed by cheering crowds across the West Bank and some marching in the street carrying Palestinian flags. A few of them also carried the flag of the Hamas group amid chants in support of Abu Ubaida, the spokesperson of the group's armed wing. "I am happy but my liberation came at the price of the blood of the martyrs," said Marah Bakir, 24, referring to the nearly 15,000 deaths across the Gaza Strip that its Hamas-led government says were caused by Israel's military offensive. Freedom from "the four walls of the prison" is "magnificent", said Bakir, who had been in custody for eight years. Also read: US President Joe Biden says in contact with leaders to ensure 'every aspect' of hostage deal implemented "I spent the end of my childhood and my adolescence in prison, far from my parents and their hugs," she told news agency AFP after returning to her family home in Beit Hanina in annexed east Jerusalem. "That's how it is with a state that oppresses us." A total of 39 Palestinian women and minors, who were detained in Israel on various charges, were released under the deal brokered by Qatar to pause the fighting in Gaza. On the other hand, as a part of the agreement, 24 hostages were released by the Hamas group on Friday, which included 13 Israelis, 10 Thais and a Filipino. Thirteen Israeli hostages were first handed over to the Red Cross, which then placed them in the custody of Israeli forces after a medical examination. They entered Egypt through the Rafah crossing and were then handed over to the Israeli forces. Nearly more than 100 Palestinian prisoners are scheduled to be released over the coming four days and more may be released if the truce is extended. Some detainees hail Hamas for their release Hanan Al-Barghouti, aged 58, who was released after two months in Israeli custody, praised Hamas, its leader, and the people of Gaza. Also read: Hamas releases 26 hostages amid temporary truce in Gaza "May God reward them well on our behalf," news agency AFP quoted her as saying. "If it were not for the people of Gaza, we would not have seen freedom. "We were inside the prison, eating bitterness. They were sadists. They insulted us and humiliated us, but our pride is high and our dignity is elevated, thanks to the resistance." (With inputs from agencies)

Israel frees 39 Palestinian prisoners in Gaza hostage deal

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