'No proof' that Emily Hand is still alive as Irish citizens flee Gaza
Emily Hand. Picture: Sky News
In a day in which the first Irish citizens fled Gaza, Tánaiste Micheál Martin has warned that there is "no proof" that Emily Hand is still alive.
A heavily pregnant woman, children and family groups are among 23 Irish citizens to have evacuated Gaza through the Rafah border on Wednesday.
A one-year-old is also among the 23 to have been evacuated.
“They're in good form, not all of them would have known each other but they're now bonding well at Rafah,” Mr Martin said in confirming the evacuations.
He hopes that other citizens who were also on the exit list, but may not have been able to make it to the Egyptian border crossing, will get out as early Thursday. Intensive work continues to get the remaining Irish passport holders out.
However, in a day which brought positive news for some Irish citizens, Mr Martin again raised concerns for Emily Hand during a number of meetings in the Egyptian capital.
The eight-year-old Irish-Israeli child is believed to be in Gaza after being taken hostage in the October 7 Hamas attacks. Mr Martin said the overall situation with hostages is “very delicate” and "very complex”.
“We haven't gotten precise confirmation as to precise location, whereabouts, or indeed haven't got any definitive proof of life.”
Mr Martin said work is ongoing to ensure that when hostage releases are being negotiated, that Emily is prioritised.
He said: “The Egyptian authorities have been very helpful here and I have a very good overview, given their past experience in negotiating ceasefires between Hamas and Israel.
“And I've also spoken to the Qatari foreign minister who likewise has channels."
The 23 who have been evacuated will now be brought to Cairo, where they will receive medical attention if needed and other supports, including the arrangement of onward travel to Ireland.
“I'm very relieved personally that we've got Irish citizens through now because everyday you are worried in the bombardment of Gaza that people's lives are at risk, children's lives are at risk, Irish citizen's lives are at risk, so the sooner we get them out the better.
“We were concerned over the last 10 days. We're getting citizens out. So I'm relieved today, I'm sure they're very relieved. But we have more to get out and we have to continue to work on that," Mr Martin said.
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