Emily Hand, the Irish-Israeli girl who was thought to have been killed in the October 7 Hamas attacks but was later believed to have been taken hostage, could be released soon as part of a breakthrough deal agreed upon on Tuesday night, November 21.
Hand's father, Dublin native Thomas Hand, has been campaigning for his daughter's release in both Ireland and the US after he learned that there was a high chance she was still alive.
Hand's release grew more likely on Tuesday night after Qatar announced that successful joint meditation efforts involving Israel, Hamas, Egypt, and the US resulted in an agreement for a humanitarian pause.
On Tuesday night, the Government of Israel said it is obligated to return home all of the hostages and that it had approved the outline of the first stage of achieving this goal, according to which at least 50 hostages – women and children – will be released over four days, during which a pause in the fighting will be held.
The release of every additional ten hostages will result in one additional day in the pause.
The government's statement added: "The Government of Israel, the IDF, and the security services will continue the war in order to return home all of the hostages, complete the elimination of Hamas and ensure that there will be no new threat to the State of Israel from Gaza."
The AP, citing Israeli media, said on Wednesday morning that the pause will begin on Thursday at 10 am.
NBC News reported on Wednesday morning that the names of the 50 hostages to be released from Gaza during the four-day pause have not been made public, "leaving their families in limbo."
However, a EuroNews correspondent said on X on Wednesday that Hand is on the list of hostages to be released from Gaza and that Israeli sources said it's possible she will be released as early as Thursday.
A DailyWire journalist also said on X that Hand was on the list of potential hostages to be released, according to the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office.
The news of the deal was welcomed in the Dáil on Wednesday morning.
"The ceasefire will facilitate the release of 50 hostages being held by Palestinians including, we hope, Emily Hand, and will also facilitate the release of 150 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel," Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said during Leaders Questions.
Varadkar previously said he believed 'in his heart' that Hand was still alive.
The Taoiseach said that as part of the four-day ceasefire, humanitarian aid will be allowed into Gaza and that "Ireland individually, and also as part of the UN and the EU, will do anything we can to make sure that that happens and it happens well."
He continued: "It is our view that the ceasefire should not just last for four days and that it should be extended to allow space for there to be a peace initiative which can bring a permanent end to violence in the region resulting in a two-state solution."
Tánaiste Micheál Martin, who had vowed to 'leave no stone unturned' in the mission to release Emily Hand, also welcomed the deal while speaking in the Dail on Wednesday.
He noted: "Our focus in particular is on nine-year-old Irish citizen Emily Hand. I know deputies will understand if I do not go into detail on Emily's case. We have worked consistently for her release over recent weeks including through extensive contacts with regional partners.
"I want to take this chance to note that Ireland unreservedly condemns the practice of hostage-taking and appeals for the immediate release of all remaining hostages.
"The efforts of the US, Qatar, and Egypt in securing this agreement are to be commended. Their work highlights the value of effective diplomacy."
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