Israel and Hamas prisoner swap: 'Joy and relief' as Emily Hand, more children freed
After a worrying delay, captives are being reunited with their families on the second day of the truce deal.
A young Irish girl who spent her 9th birthday in captivity has been released by Hamas militants this morning on the second day of a hostage and prisoner swap between Palestinian and Israeli forces.
Emily Hand was kidnapped while at a sleepover at a friend’s house and was initially feared dead after Hamas militants violently surged into Israel on October 7.
Desperate calls by her family for Emily's release became a major story in their home country with the Irish government celebrating today as "a day of enormous joy and relief for Emily Hand and her family".
Ireland's Foreign Minister Micheal Martin confirmed her release in a statement at 9am Sunday (AEDT), saying that after 50 days in captivity, the young girl was among a group of children and women freed in the second round of prisoner swaps.
Video footage released by Hamas militants shows children being handed over to authorities. The hostages were delivered to Red Cross representatives before crossing the border into Egypt. They will then be flown by helicopter to a hospital in Israel where their loved ones will be waiting.
"After weeks of trauma, this is a precious and deeply moving moment for the Hand family," the statement released by Minister Martin said.
"The people of Ireland have been touched by Emily’s story, her innocence and the quiet dignity and determination of her father Tom. I had the opportunity to meet Tom before travelling to the region, and I was struck by the strength and resilience with which he advocated for his daughter’s release.
"This is a message that I and my colleagues in government sought to amplify as we engaged internationally, through political, diplomatic and security channels, in a bid to secure Emily’s safe return. I want to acknowledge the role played by the US, Qatar, Egypt and others that have been involved in securing the release of the hostages."
Hostage deal 'back on track' after delays on day two
The Gaza hostage deal was back on track on Sunday morning after a temporary delay over a dispute about aid supplies to the north of the besieged enclave – with the White House saying US president Joe Biden was involved in the protracted negotiations.
"13 Israelis and 4 foreigners were received by ICRC [the International Committee of the Red Cros] and on their way to Rafah," Qatar's foreign ministry spokesperson, Majed Al Ansari, said on social media just hours ago.
TV images later showed Red Cross vehicles at Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt.
A Palestinian official familiar with the diplomacy told Reuters that Hamas would continue with the four-day truce agreed with Israel, the first break in fighting in seven weeks of war.
Al Ansari earlier said a brief delay and obstacle to the hostage release were overcome through Qatari-Egyptian contacts with both sides, adding that 39 Palestinian civilians were going to be released in exchange.
Among the Israeli hostages, eight were expected to be children and five others women, Al Ansari said, while the Palestinians to be released from Israeli prisons would consist of 33 children and six women.
with Reuters
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