Father of Released American Teen Hostage Reports She Is In Good Condition

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Uri Raanan, the father of Natalie Raanan—an American teenager who was recently released after being held hostage in Gaza by Hamas—stated this Friday that his daughter is in a good state of health. The teen had been in captivity for two weeks, alongside her mother, Judith, after being abducted in Israel.

Raanan, a resident of the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois, informed The Big Big News during a telephonic conversation with his daughter, stating, “She’s in a good condition. In fact, she’s in a very good condition. I’m emotionally overwhelmed and feel extremely relieved.”

The 71-year-old father revealed that he had learned from news reports earlier that day that an American mother-daughter pair would be released by Hamas. Raanan spent the day in hopeful anticipation that the individuals in question were his daughter and wife, Judith.

Raanan expressed that the prospect of Natalie celebrating her 18th birthday at home next week with family and friends is “extraordinary and the most uplifting news.”

He anticipates that Natalie and Judith will soon arrive in Tel Aviv to reunite with family members and expects both to return to the United States early next week.

The President of the United States, Joe Biden, joined the widespread celebration of the Raanans’ release. An Israeli army spokesperson announced that the two Americans were safely out of the Gaza Strip and are now under the care of the Israeli military. Hamas stated their release was on humanitarian grounds, facilitated by an agreement with the Qatari government.

This marks the first occasion of hostages being released since approximately 200 individuals were reportedly abducted by Hamas militants during their offensive on October 7.

In Washington, President Biden expressed his elation that the Raanans would soon reunite with their anxious family. He assured that the U.S. government would offer its full support during their recovery process.

According to the International Committee of the Red Cross, which assisted in transporting the released Americans from Gaza to Israel, their release brings “a glimmer of hope” for those still in captivity.

The Raanans had initially traveled to Israel from their home in Evanston, Illinois, to celebrate Jewish holidays. They were caught in the Hamas attack on southern Israeli towns on October 7 while celebrating Simchat Torah in Nahal Oz, near Gaza.

Their family had not received any news about them since the attack until they were informed by U.S. and Israeli officials that the two were being held captive in Gaza, said Ben, Natalie’s brother.

Judith and Natalie Raanan’s release was described as a “miraculous event” by Meir Hecht, Judith Raanan’s rabbi, during a press conference in Evanston.

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth welcomed the news of the Raanans’ release and urged people to remember other families who have loved ones still missing or abducted.

French President Emmanuel Macron referred to the Americans’ release as “an excellent outcome,” while Qatar expressed its ongoing commitment to dialogue with Israel and Hamas for the release of all hostages, aiming to deescalate the current crisis and restore peace.

Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari reaffirmed Israel’s continued efforts to return all hostages and find those missing, stating, “We remain committed in our war against Hamas and are prepared for the next phase of the conflict.”

Expectations are rising of a ground operation that Israel claims will focus on eradicating Hamas militants who govern Gaza.

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Contributions to this report were made by Winder from Evanston, Savage from Chicago, and Baumann from Bellingham, Washington.

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More about American teen hostage released by Hamas

• U.S. Department of State on Hostage Policy
• International Committee of the Red Cross on Detention
• Background Information on Hamas
• Qatar’s Role in Middle East Diplomacy
• Israeli Military Statements
• U.S. President Joe Biden’s Foreign Policy
• Jewish Holidays and their Significance
• Recent Developments in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
• Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
• French Foreign Policy on the Middle East
• Illinois Government Statements