CNN recently reported on the heart-wrenching story of a father and his young daughter, Emily Hand, who survived captivity by the terror organization known as Hamas. After the family was able to flee Israel safely, they granted CNN an exclusive interview that provided insight into Emily Hand’s ordeal.
Jeffrey Hand, Emily’s father, described the fear and desperation he felt when terrorists from the Hamas-controlled Gaza strip kidnapped his daughter. According to Jeffrey, Emily was kept captive in a small, dark room with no heat or water and was only given one meal a day. As if that wasn’t inconceivable enough, Emily’s captors punished her if she kneeled or sat down by pushing her up against the wall and slapping her face.
The ordeal didn’t seem to end there, however, as Jeffrey revealed that Emily’s captors threatened to keep her in captivity for longer and even suggested they might try to sell her. But against all odds, an opportunity for her safe return presented itself when a group of activists coordinated a secret ransom mission. Upon her release, Emily was reunited with her family and brought to a nearby religious center for medical assistance.
Emily Hand’s story of survival and strength is a testament to the human spirit. Despite facing harrowing conditions, her courage and determination enabled her to triumph over her captors and gain her freedom. Her story serves to remind us all just how resilient youngsters like Emily can be when in the face of adversity. In a way, she stands as a symbol of hope for all those who are in desperate need of courage and strength in times of danger.