Government wants Emily Hand included in any talks to get hostages released from Gaza

The Irish embassy in Israel that Emily Hand is now believed to have been abducted and not murdered by Hamas during the attacks on October 7

Tánaiste Micheál Martin has said the Irish Government has made "key" interlocutors aware of the likely Hamas abduction of Israeli-Irish girl Emily Hand and has called for her to be released.

Speaking to reporters in Beijing, China, Mr Martin would not confirm if the Government was speaking to people who are in a position to communicate with Hamas in relation to the matter.

"We've made people aware of the situation that there's a potential Irish citizen, the strong likelihood essentially that she has been abducted," Mr Martin said.

"We were made aware of the situation in respect of Emily and our ambassador in Israel has been in touch with the family and it's very sensitive and that's why we haven't commented all along because of situations like this. One has to have young Emily's best well-being uppermost in how we deal with this and how we comment on this.

"Over the last while we've spoken to all the key interlocutors in the region in terms of foreign ministers and so on. We've made them all aware of the situation in respect of Emily," Mr Martin said.

He said there is not certain information available regarding the young girl's case and the Irish ambassador in Israel spoke with the Hand family and added "We at all times want to respect the wishes of the family in the situation."

"We know there has been discussions again with the US and others around the hostage situation and key ministers in the neighbourhood, key countries," the Tánaiste said.

"We've made key ministers aware of Emily's situation and we certainly want a young eight-year-old girl, we want her released along with others, all hostages."

He said the government is "anxious" that Emily Hand be included in any such engagements during talks to get hostages released.

Mr Martin who is on an official visit to China in his capacity as Foreign Affairs minister described the overall hostage situation as "horrendous" and said the idea of Hamas taking hostages when children and the elderly were going about their normal lives is "horrific."

Mr Martin said there is no evidence to suggest that the Irish Government's comments about Israel's attack on Gaza has resulted in no Irish citizens leaving Gaza via Egypt.

He said both Irish ambassadors in Egypt and Israel are maintaining contact with between 35 and 40 Irish citizens in Gaza.

He said the Irish Government is "pressing hard" to get Irish citizens out of Gaza but it was "always going to be challenging and difficult" and said it is going to take some time.

The Irish embassy in Israel that Emily Hand is now believed to have been abducted and not murdered by Hamas during the attacks on October 7.

It is understood Emily's family were informed a number of days ago that DNA tests had led the authorities to believe her remains were not among those found at a Kibbutz in Southern Israel.