CHICAGO, ILLINOIS: The family of an American teen who was abducted by the Palestine militant group has now spoken out after she was released on Friday, October 20.
Natalie Raanan, 17, and her mother Judith, 59, both US citizens, were taken hostage by Hamas while they were visiting family in Israel on October 7.
According to the reports of The Associated Press, the teenager got a chance to speak to her father Uri Raanan over the phone hours after her release.
What Natalie Raanan's father say?
"They look good and sound good," Uri said at a press conference on Friday night, October 20.
He now plans to hug his 17-year-old when they're reunited. "It’s going to be the best day of my life," Uri said.
The 72-year-old Illinois resident got the news in a call from President Joe Biden and Governor JB Pritzker.
He also added that the only injury his daughter suffered was a "little scratch" on her hand. Their heart warming phone conversation was captured in a picture released by the US Embassy in Jerusalem.
The father believes Natalie and Judith are on their way to Tel Aviv and should be back in the US next week.
"I’ve been waiting for this for two weeks," he said, adding "I’m finally going to sleep good tonight. I really appreciate the president’s effort."
Uri is over the moon now knowing that Natalie will be able to celebrate with her close ones next week. The outlet also spoke to Natalie's brother Ben Raanan who lives in Denver.
He described her as "a very loving, kind person" who has strong relationship with her other brother, who is nonverbal.
Ben added that Natalie graduated from high school this year and is deciding whether she should go to college for interior design or for a tattoo apprenticeship.
Joe Biden has spoken to Natalie Raanan and her mother Judith
The hostages were released on "humanitarian grounds" due to Judith's ailing health. It has been reported that officials from Qatar helped mediate the situation.
The American president stated in a tweet that he has spoken to Natalie and Judith. "I just spoke with the two Americans released today after being held hostage by Hamas," he said, adding "I let them know that their government will fully support them as they recover and heal. Jill and I will continue holding close in our hearts all the families of unaccounted for Americans."
Natalie and Judith were taken from Nahal Oz, a kibbutz that's nearly adjacent to the border with Gaza. The pair were celebrating Judith's mother's 85th birthday at the time.
