Father of Natalie Raanan says she’s ‘doing very good’ after being released by Hamas

By AP 21 October 2023, 12:58 am

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This photo provided by the Raanan family shows Natalie Raanan and her father, Uri Raanan, in Mexico. (Courtesy of the Raanan family via AP)

EVANSTON, Illinois — The father of freed American teen hostage Natalie Raanan says she’s doing well after her release by Hamas.

Uri Raanan of Illinois tells The Associated Press that he spoke to his daughter by telephone. “She’s doing good. She’s doing very good,” says Uri Raanan, who lives in the Chicago suburbs. “I’m in tears, and I feel very, very good.”

The 71-year-old says he saw on the news that an American mother and daughter would be released by Hamas, and he spent the day hoping they meant his daughter and her mother, Judith.

Knowing Natalie may be able to celebrate her 18th birthday next week at home with family and friends feels “wonderful. The best news,” Uri Raanan says.

He says he believes Natalie and Judith to be in transit to Tel Aviv to reunite with relatives, and that both will be back in the US early next week.