'I still look at Emily & think what a miracle it is she is still here'

Irish dad's joy as freed hostage daughter marks 11th birthday

- BY ANDY LINES and PAUL MARTIN

FREED hostage Emily Hand surrounded by gifts for her 11th birthday is something her relieved dad Thomas feared he would never see.

Emily was among the 251 hostages snatched by Hamas during the October 7 attack on southern Israel, which killed some 1,200 people.

She was held in Gaza for 49 days and released on November 26, 2023.

Emotional Thomas said: “This is an anniversary, two years, I actually had never thought we would have. I was convinced when she was taken away by Hamas that they had killed her.

“I still look at her and think what a miracle it is that she is still here.

“And she is recovering, slowly but surely.”

One of the presents on the table is from fellow hostage Noa Argamani, who was held captive for 245 days.