WATCH: Irish-Israeli girl Emily Hand reunited with father after Hamas release

Nine-year-old Irish-Israeli girl Emily Hand who had been held hostage by Hamas has been reunited with her father.

Video footage shows her running into her father Thomas’s arms at a location in Israel. Emily was among a number of people to be freed by militants at the weekend in a deal which also saw Palestinians held in Israel released.

She had been abducted while at a sleepover in Kibbutz Be’eri during the Hamas attack on October 7, along with her friend Hila, 13, who has also been released. Hila’s mother, Raya Rotem, 54, is still being held in Gaza.

Thomas Hand, originally from Dun Laoghaire in Dublin, thanked all the people who have supported his family.

“Emily has come back to us,” he said. “We are overjoyed to embrace Emily again.

“We appreciate the unwavering support. We want to express our gratitude to everyone who helped and supported us during the last 50 days until Emily’s return.”

Ireland’s leaders, who met with Mr Hand as he campaigned for his daughter’s release, welcomed the news.

President Michael D Higgins described the ordeal as “a horrific time for all of her family”.

“It is my great hope that Emily can now, despite all that she has endured, enjoy a happy and fulfilling life after what has been an unimaginable situation for such a young child.

“While we particularly recognise this important moment as an Irish-Israeli child is released, we must also retain a focus on what is now needed – a durable ceasefire, the release of all remaining hostages, and a commitment from all sides to engaging in the task of building what can be an enduring peace.”

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said the country had "breathed a massive sigh of relief”.

“Our prayers have been answered,” he said.

“Irish people everywhere share in the relief of Emily’s family. Our thoughts and prayers are with all the hostages in Gaza, but we followed particularly closely the fate of Emily, a dual Irish-Israeli citizen.”