Freed hostages celebrate young Emily's birthday

Freed Hostages Surprise Young October 7 Survivor on Her Birthday

In a touching reunion, Noa Argamani and Hila Rotem Shoshani celebrate young Emily Hand's first birthday since her release from captivity in Gaza.

RON SHKEDY

The sound of laughter echoed through the home of former Hamas hostage Emily Hand on Sunday as fellow 9/7 survivors and former hostages Noa Argamani and Hila Rotem Shoshani arrived with gifts, traditional Moroccan donuts and candles. anniversary to celebrate its 10th anniversary.

Life on Kibbutz Be'eri had already posed significant challenges for Emily before the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. After losing her mother to cancer when she was still little, she found maternal love thanks to her father's ex-wife, Narkis Hand, who raised her as his own until tragedy struck again. Narkis was among those killed in the massacre, his life cut short at the age of 54.

That morning, Emily spent the night at her friend Hila's house, without knowing that their lives would change forever. The two girls were captured and held in Gaza for about two months before being released together as part of a ceasefire agreement in November.

Now, almost a year after their release, Hila has returned to Emily's life, this time accompanied by Noa, to transform an ordinary Sunday into a celebration of life and friendship. As Emily blew out her birthday candles surrounded by those who had shared her extraordinary journey, the moment served as a powerful reminder of survival and hope. The young girl, who has dual Irish and Israeli nationality, continues to rebuild her life in Israel alongside her 65-year-old father Thomas.

Originally published by Israel Hayom.

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Emily Hand, 8, with her father, Thomas Hand, an Irish immigrant to Israel, in Ramat Gan after being released from nearly two months of captivity in the Gaza Strip by Hamas, November 25, 2023. Credit: IDF .