An Israeli father who tragically lost his daughter in the Israel-Gaza war has explained how her death was "the best news of the possibilities" in a heartwrenching interview.

Interviewed by American broadcaster CNN, Mr Hand broke down in tears as he recounted the moment he was finally told his daughter's body had been found - and said his reaction was one of relief that she had not been kidnapped instead.

“They just said, we found Emily. She's dead. I went, 'Yes!' and smiled, because that is the best news of the possibilities I knew.

"She was either dead or in Gaza. And if you know anything about what they do to people in Gaza, that is worse than death.”

"She doesn't do it very often, but unfortunately that night, that particular night - Friday night - she went to sleep at her friend's house," Hand said.

The next morning, the Kibbutz was under attack. 

Hand described how he felt during the siege: "I'm thinking, the Army are going to be here soon. Just hold on a bit longer, and longer, and longer."

"that is worse than death"

Yet later when Hand was informed of his daughter's murder, he said: "I just went "Yes!"'

"That was the best news of the possibilities that I knew..." he trailed off through tears.

"She was either dead, or in Gaza. And if you know anything about what they do to people in Gaza, that is worse than death," he tearfully explained.

"They'd have no food. They'd have no water. She'd be in a dark room filled with Christ knows how many people. And terrified every minute, hour, day, and possible years to come. So death was a blessing. An absolute blessing."

Over the weekend, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared war on Hamas and made it clear that Gaza would feel the impact of Israel's retaliation for decades to come.