Hostages Returned
Hamas fighters seized and returned approximately twenty hostages to Gaza during their lethal assault on Israel nearly two weeks ago.
Natalie’s Release
Natalie Raanan, who was released from captivity by Hamas in Israel two weeks after she and her mother Judith were abducted, is in good health, according to her father.
Uri Raanan spoke as Hamas, following their release, released footage of the duo. He reported that he had just completed a phone conversation with his 17-year-old daughter.
“She’s in excellent health. She is exceedingly well,” he reported.
“I’m in tears, and I feel very, very good.”
The 71-year-old based in Evanston, Illinois, stated that he saw on the news that Hamas would liberate an American mother and daughter, and he waited all day on Friday in the hope that it meant his ex-wife Judith and Natalie.
“Wonderful… the best news” is the possibility that Natalie will be able to commemorate her 18th birthday at home with family and friends the following week, according to him.
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“I’m going to hug her; it will be the best day of my life,” he continued.
According to Mr. Raanan, Natalie and Judith, both 59 years old, are en route to Tel Aviv to visit family and will return to the United States early the following week.
Joy and Relief
President Joe Biden of the United States expressed joy over the release of the individuals.
Mr. Biden stated in Washington, “I am ecstatic that they will soon be reunited with their family, who have been overwhelmed with terror.”
According to the White House, the president also spoke with Judith and Natalie and “affirmed that they will have the complete backing of the United States government as they rebuild from this dreadful ordeal.”
The two Americans were outside of the Gaza Strip and with the Israeli military, according to an Israeli army spokesman.
The Qatari government received them in accordance with a humanitarian agreement, as stated by Hamas.
Hamas initiated the liberation of approximately 200 individuals since their rampage on October 7th.
Their release, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross, which transported the Raanans from Gaza to Israel, provided “a sliver of hope” for those who were still in captivity.
The Raanan Family’s Ordeal
According to relatives, Judith and Natalie had departed from their residence in the Chicago suburb of Evanston in order to partake in Jewish holiday celebrations in Israel.
On October 7, while celebrating Simchat Torah in Nahal Oz, close to Gaza, Hamas militants rushed into towns in southern Israel, resulting in the deaths and abduction of hundreds of individuals.
Natalie’s brother Ben Raanan told the Denver Post earlier this week that their family had not heard from them since the attack and was subsequently informed by US and Israeli officials that they were being detained in Gaza.
Natalie is passionate about fashion, art, makeup, and DoorDash; Ben, who resides in Denver, Colorado, states that “she abhors eating at home.”
This year marked her high school graduation, and she was debating whether to enroll in college to major in interior or fashion design, or to complete an apprenticeship at a tattoo parlor.
International Diplomacy
Qatar declared its intention to sustain diplomatic discussions with Israel and Hamas in an effort to secure the release of all detainees, “with the overarching goal of de-escalating the present crisis and reinstating peace.”
With growing expectations of a ground attack to eliminate Hamas fighters in Gaza, Israel made the statement.
Benjamin Netanyahu, prime minister of Israel, issued the following statement late on Friday: “Two of our abductees are at home. We will continue to make every effort to recover all abducted and missing individuals.
“At the same time, we’ll continue to fight until victory,” he reiterated.
