Two years after her traumatic ordeal as a Hamas hostage, Emily Hand has celebrated her 11th birthday - a milestone her father never thought he would witness during her 49 days in captivity.
A Birthday Once Thought Impossible
Emily Hand was freed from Hamas captivity exactly two years ago after being snatched from her kibbutz near the Gaza border on October 7th, 2023. Her father Thomas Hand has shared an exclusive photograph of Emily celebrating her 11th birthday, surrounded by presents including one from fellow hostage Noa Argamani, who became like a big sister to her during their imprisonment.
Thomas Hand emotionally told the Mirror: "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." The Dublin-born Londoner, who had moved to Israel to work in a printing shop at Be'eri kibbutz, added: "I still look at her and think what a miracle it is that she is still here. And that she is recovering - slowly but surely."
The Long Road to Recovery
The journey to recovery has been gradual for Emily since her release. Thomas revealed that immediately after her freedom, she would only whisper for weeks because her captors had threatened to cut her throat if she raised her voice. She initially refused to attend school and insisted on sleeping in her father's room.
To aid her healing, the family has undertaken several therapeutic activities. Emily recently returned from another dream trip to Disney in Florida, and she has found solace in horse riding and learning to surf. Thomas explained that these activities gave her a sense of control after being a "helpless hostage."
Her bond with fellow hostage Noa Argamani remains strong, with Noa sending a birthday present and maintaining regular contact. Thomas noted that Noa would have attended the birthday party but was in the USA with her newly released boyfriend, giving talks about the ongoing needs of former hostages.
Looking to the Future
Despite the trauma, both Emily and her father express a desire to return to their old kibbutz near the Gaza border. Their home remained undamaged during the attacks, but Thomas acknowledges the challenges this would present. "She would miss most of her friends, whose homes were destroyed or burned," he said. "And it could conjure up painful memories of those friends and people she knew who died."
The celebration comes after a period where Emily was taken hostage during a sleepover at a friend's house, while her stepmother Narkiss was murdered in their own home on the same day. Thomas reflects on his daughter's progress with profound gratitude: "Still Emily is so much luckier than so many people. I have to be deeply, deeply thankful for that."
As Emily continues her recovery, her story stands as a testament to resilience and the enduring hope for normalcy after unimaginable trauma.
