Thought of eight-year-old Emily Hand being held hostage is 'horrific', says Tánaiste

Speaking in China, Micheál Martin said he has no further updates but remains in touch with the Hand family

Emily Hand is believed to be held captive in Gaza.

The thought of eight-year-old Emily Hand being held hostage is "horrific", Tánaiste Micheál Martin has said.

The Irish-Israeli child is believed to be held captive in Gaza and her father Tom begged for her release earlier this week. 

Speaking in China, Mr Martin said he has no further updates but remains in touch with the Hand family. The Tánaiste said he has spoken with his Egyptian counterpart and described the hostage situation as "complex."

"It has a number of moving parts here in respect of the Rafah crossing, getting it opened on a more sustainable basis, getting aid into Gaza, and getting hostages and civilians out of Gaza," he said.

"A number of states are offering assistance in terms of endeavouring to get hostages released. From our perspective, in terms of humanity, the thought of an eight-year-old child being held hostage is horrific to comprehend in terms of the young child in a situation of captivity and custody on her own at that age," he said.

He said other foreign leaders have been made aware of Emily's situation and that he hopes people could come together to facilitate the release of all hostages, particularly children.

He said: "But there's been a significant hold up now in respect of the opening of the Rafah border over the last 24 or 48 hours and that's concerning.

"But I've no doubt, and I know from talking to my Egyptian colleagues, that all efforts will be made to try and get the crossing open but also every assistance and any support that can be given by states that have influence there will be given in respect of Emily, in particular," the Tánaiste added.