Judith Raanan and daughter Natalie back in Israel, en route to reunite with relatives

By Jacob Magid

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20 October 2023, 9:54 pm

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Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief

Judith Raanan, left, and her daughter Natalie, 17, after Natalie's recent high school graduation. Undated photo provided by Rabbi Meir Hecht on behalf of the Raanan family (Raanan Family via AP)

Judith and Natalie Raanan have crossed back into Israel after being released by Hamas terrorists, who have held them hostage since the October 7 onslaught, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office says in a statement.

Netanyahu’s hostage envoy Gal Hirsch along with officials from the IDF and other security organizations met the pair at the Gaza border and are currently taking them to a nearby military base where they will be reunited with their relatives who are waiting for them there, the premier’s office says.

“The government of Israel, the IDF and the entire security establishment will continue to operate with the best of their abilities and efforts in order to locate all of the hostages and return them home,” the statement adds.