First he learned that daughter Emily was dead, murdered, in the Hamas attack on Israel.
But now Thomas Hand’s life has changed again.
The 8-year-old daughter is supposed to be alive – and probably being held hostage somewhere in the tunnels under Gaza City.
– We want to see her dance again. And sing again, says father Thomas.
Early in the morning of October 7, the terrorist organization Hamas struck in an indiscriminate and carefully planned attack on Israel. In addition to widespread rocket attacks, soldiers crossed the border with vehicles and ground troops.
Near the border with Gaza, in Kibbutz Be’eri, 8-year-old Emily Hand was at a friend’s house when the Hamas attack began.
The kibbutz was not spared, but Hamas men allegedly went from house to house and cold-bloodedly shot dead men and women, children and the elderly – and burned down large parts of society.
In total, more than 120 of the residents of the kibbutz were murdered – of which Emily was said to be one of the victims.
A message that father Thomas first welcomed.
– That was what I was hoping for. Of all the horrible possibilities, death was the least painful. She was either dead or in Gaza, and if you know anything about what they do to people in Gaza, that’s a fate worse than death, Thomas Hand said.
“She won’t get any cake or party”
But after analyzing blood, DNA and dental records, the Israeli military has now concluded that Emily is not among the dead in the kibbutz.
Most likely she is alive – probably kidnapped somewhere in the tunnels under Gaza.
Next week is Emily’s birthday. The thought of what she is going through right now torments father Thomas.
– She won’t get any cake or any party. No friends around. Just another day of terror, he says.
“Can see her running towards me”
Now everyday life is filled with worry, anxiety, despair – and hope.
One day, Thomas Hand wishes he could be part of an emotional reunion with the daughter he once thought dead.
– In my head I can see her running towards me, and I run towards her, catch her – to never let her go from me, he says.