The Taoiseach has met with the family of eight-year-old Emily Hand, who is believed to have been abducted by Hamas.

Leo Varadkar had discussions with her father Thomas and her sister Natali at Government Buildings last night.

The Hand family were accompanied by other family members of hostages in Gaza and by the Israeli Ambassador.

Thomas Hand was originally told by Israeli authorities that his daughter was killed in the Hamas attack on October 7th; however, the authorities now believe Emily is still alive.

They have informed her family that they believe she was most likely abducted and is being held by Hamas in Gaza.

Speaking following the meeting last night, the Taoiseach said he assured the Hand family that the Government will do all in its power to secure Emily’s release.

Emily Hand

Mr Hand yesterday told Newstalk it was “very difficult to initially learn that she was dead”.

“But then to find that she was actually kidnapped... it’s actually even worse news than knowing she was dead,” he said.

“There’s a finality to death; we were grieving and as hard as grieving for your daughter is, knowing she’s in Gaza in those awful tunnels is awful.”

Emily Hand

November 17th is Emily’s birthday, and her father said she will “have a birthday in the tunnels of Gaza”.

“No birthday cake, presents, party friends around her, family around her,” he said.

“The saddest part is she won’t know it’s her birthday – she won’t know what day it is; she won't even know if it's day or night.”

Hostages

Mr Varadkar said he was committed to continuing to call for the immediate release of all hostages held by Hamas.

He said he also raised Emily’s case with the Egyptian Foreign Minister, the Palestinian Prime and the Chief Adviser to the King of Jordan during meetings in Paris last week.

The Tánaiste Micheál Martin is visiting the Middle East later this week and is also expected to meet Mr Hand in Dublin today.

Reporting from Alan Cantwell.