Just delete those edges and the edge loop tool should work fine.

I would recommend some books or youtube vids for character modeling. They will show you the best strategies for edge flow, etc.

Also, Im not sure if this is what you are going for, but there are much better ways to model a hand instead of trying to combine/bridge from a cube to cylinders which it looks like you already did with the thumb perhaps, and are intending to do with the fingers? If this type of geometry is what you are going for, or if there is some other reason, then please ignore. However, if you are just new and if you really want to model a hand that will deform nicely when animated, will be easier to texture (unwrapping uv's, etc.) and will just plain be easier to model, then there are much better, faster and more efficient ways to go about it. I only say this because when I started out I used a similar approach. Once I learned how to "box model", things came together really quickly and it was a much more enjoyable experience!

Good luck!