Thomas Hand has been through a whirlwind of emotions after experiencing his daughter’s kidnapping by Hamas militants, details of which he describes as “terrifying” and “under gunfire.” Emily, along with her friend Hila and Hila’s mother, was held hostage for two months before their release on November 25.
Hand, consumed by the unimaginable fear and desperation of not knowing his daughter’s whereabouts, was relieved to finally embrace the pale, drawn-out figure of Emily at the moment of her release. “Last night she cried until her face was red and blotchy, she couldn’t stop,” he said. “She didn’t want any comfort, I guess she’s forgotten how, to be comforted.”
Hand’s next task is to prioritize Emily’s recovery, despite the haunting memories of the ordeal she faced while in captivity. Amidst his determination to nurse Emily back to health, his thoughts also remain with the captors left behind. He implores the world to not forget the agonizing plight endured by the hostages and to join in the quest to bring them all home.
