Emily was kidnapped on October 7 while wearing her pajamas while spending the night with her friend on Kibbutz Be’eri. She was forced to “celebrate” her ninth birthday in captivity.
Thomas’s world collapsed when the Israeli authorities told him that Emily had been murdered. “But for me, this news is actually a blessing,” he replied at the time. “After all, the only other possible scenario is that she was kidnapped in Gaza. The mere thought that such an eight-year-old girl would end up in the clutches of such monsters… what a horror that would be.
But three weeks later, the family was told that Emily might still be alive. Her body has not yet been found.
Slowly, the glimmer of hope of a safe return home once again grew. “But I’m afraid she will be very angry with me,” Thomas said, “so why didn’t her father come to save her?” “She will have to endure terror every hour of the day and will be devastated mentally and physically. Our dog will play an important role in her recovery. I am sure he will get the first hug, she cannot point the finger at him.
Yesterday the time finally came. Emily is released along with sixteen other hostages. “I was afraid to give her a big hug. Now I’m giving her the biggest birthday party ever,” Thomas concluded.
“Creator. Award-winning problem solver. Music evangelist. Incurable introvert.”
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