According to ABC 7, the 18-year-old was released by the terrorist organization 10 days ago along with his mother, Judith Raanan (59), just four days before his birthday.
American teenager Natalie Raanan, who was kidnapped by Hamas during the terror group’s shocking attack on Israel and held captive for two weeks before being released, has finally returned home.
According to Israel’s Consul General in the Midwest, Yinam Cohen, the woman who announced the happy news about X arrived at his home in Chicago on Monday night.
“I am relieved that Natalie Raanan has returned to Chicago. Family members have been anxiously awaiting her return, and today I share in their joy,” she wrote.
Who is Natalie Raanan?
The Raanans, who live in the Chicago suburb of Evanston, were held hostage for 13 days before being released by Hamas due to Judith’s deteriorating health and helped the Red Cross get them out of Gaza.
The mother-daughter duo was seen embracing family members in Israel after their release.
Natalie’s father, Uri Raanan, told the Post at the time that his daughter was “emotional” but “very happy to be in Israel.”
The Raanan are said to have “kept each other safe” during their captivity.
They had traveled to Israel to celebrate Judith’s mother’s 85th birthday and celebrate the Jewish holiday season with their family, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
More than 230 hostages in Gaza are still under the control of Hamas terrorists after the invasion on October 7. Cohen wrote this in his statement welcoming Raanan’s return to the United States.
“As we celebrate Natalie’s return, we commemorate the 239 hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza, including babies, children, women and the elderly,” he said.
He also announced that he would be speaking in Chicago to share the stories of the families who captured their relatives.
Two elderly Israelis were also released by Hamas. 85-year-old Yocheved Lifshitz and Nurit Yitzhak were released last week. Their husbands remain in captivity.
The terrorist organization said it released the two women for “compelling humanitarian and satisfactory reasons.”
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