Former Gaza hostage Emily Hand sings ‘Ma Nishtana’ with Kibbutz Be'eri children

Nine-year-old Emily Hand, a former hostage who was held captive by Hamas in Gaza, sang the Passover song "Ma Nishtana" with other children from Kibbutz Be'eri in Hostages' Square in Tel Aviv on Monday.

Hand was released in late November as part of a temporary ceasefire-hostage release deal.

Together with Emily Hand, who was held hostage in Gaza: The children of Kibbutz Be'eri sang ‘Ma Nishtana’ at the Passover Seder ❤️ pic.twitter.com/RNJMJAQjGu

— Adam Albilya - אדם אלביליה (@AdamAlbilya) April 22, 2024

The gathering at the Hostages Square on the first night of Passover marked the 199th day since the Israel-Hamas war began, and saw other members from the kibbutz at the event as well, which was also held to call for the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza - 11 of whom are from Be'eri.

Noam Itzhaki, a member of the kibbutz and host of the evening, began by saying that "our seder tables this year are missing in a way that the mind cannot comprehend. During the Black Saturday, we lost 100 of our friends, our children and our youth, and their absence is a huge hole that opened in the heart of the community; 30 of our friends were kidnapped during that Shabbat, 19 of them returned to us, some of them are even sitting with us today, and we are so happy that you are with us.

"Unfortunately, some of the members were no longer alive when they were kidnapped, some were murdered while in captivity, and thus we got a painful illustration of the risk that everyone who is still there is in," Itzhaki continued. "We call on the decision makers from here - we have lost enough. Do whatever is necessary, all that is needed, in order to return freedom to those who are still captive and to return those who are not among the living to a proper burial in the soil of their home. This is not a political or strategic decision, but a value and moral decision, and can be accepted now."

Other family members of hostages

After Ithaki's speech, a poem was read which was written by Tami Baruch, the mother of Idan Baruch, who was murdered on October 7, and Sahar Baruch, who was kidnapped to Gaza and then murdered in captivity.

Eyal Debori, a member of the kibbutz, read the text Pidyon shvuyim, with pictures of 11 abductees from the kibbutz still being held captive by Hamas projected behind him.

Dorit Or, the mother of Dror Or, who was kidnapped and held captive by Hamas, spoke and said: "The first cup - the cup of freedom is carried for Israel's exit from slavery to freedom, from exile to redemption. To freedom which is independence for each and every one, everywhere and at any time, for life and salvation.

"A first glass is dedicated at this time to the most basic freedom, which was taken from our friends who were kidnapped that Shabbat. Everyone has the freedom to live a full, safe and free life with their families, with their communities. Everyone has the right to be buried in their home soil."

Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.