Family of freed American hostages Judith and Natalie Raanan say they can’t celebrate because they fear for those still being held captive by Hamas – and say they felt guilt for ‘feeling joy for just a second’
Relatives of the two American hostages released by Hamas last Friday say they are relieved but are struggling to cope with their feelings because so many others remain in captivity.
Ayelet Sella, a cousin of Judith Raanan, 59, who was released along with her daughter Natalie, 17, said that when her relatives were handed over by Palestinian terrorists, she “felt everything at once.”
“Joy, and then guilt because you only felt joy for a second,” she said.
Judith and Natalie from Evanston, Illinois, were the first hostages returned in what has been the only diplomatic breakthrough since the October 7 massacre in Israel in which more than 200 people were kidnapped and 1,400 killed.
Of Sella, Ayelet’s brother, said the family currently “does not have the privilege of celebrating.”
Although the siblings were relieved to see Judith and Natalie return, they are still mourning the loss of friends and family killed in the brutal Hamas attack that plunged the region back into war.
The two American women, Natalie Raanan (left) and Judith Raanan (right), were released by Palestinian Hamas terrorists late last week after being captured on October 7 during a visit to Israel.
Several of their relatives are still being held by the terrorists, including a three-year-old.
“We don’t have the privilege yet to even mourn our murdered relatives because we wake up every day and do everything we can 24 hours a day to get everyone back,” Or said.
His family in Israel, he said, has barely slept since the attack and eats “without appetite, just because we have to eat something.”
“We are 100% focused on doing everything we can to get everyone back. Our family and another 200 families.”
Judith and Natalie were both taken in early October from Nahal Oz, one of several kibbutzim near the Gaza border targeted by the Hamas plot.
Last Friday they were met at the border with Gaza by the Israeli brigadier general. Gen. Gal Hirsch and taken to a military base for debriefing before going to a relative’s home to recover.
Ayelet Sella said she felt like she could breathe for the first time since October 7, when she was reunited with her cousins.
“I can tell you that night was the first night I dreamed since two weeks ago because it’s the first time I’ve slept,” she said.
Israeli officials say Hamas has taken at least 220 people, including a likely double-digit number of American and Israeli nationals.
In a handout photo made available by the US Embassy in Jerusalem on their official X account on October 21, US citizens Judith Raanan (R) and daughter Natalie Raanan (L) are seen on the phone with US President Joe Biden ( not pictured) after their release after being kidnapped by Hamas in Israel, early October 21, 2023
Judith Raanan with some of her artwork before her terror ordeal with Hamas terrorists – Raanan is known for being a warm and vibrant member of her community back home
Raanan, 59, with more of her artwork. Community leaders say she is someone who constantly checks in on others and brings them gifts, including her artwork
Ayelet, who said her grandmother survived the Holocaust, noted that the current bloody conflict feels like “something that happens somewhere in history.”
‘Now we are living it and it is unimaginable. “I don’t think any of us can even understand what we’re going through right now,” she said.
She added that she believes the Israeli government should now give particular priority to the hostages. “It should be the only thing on the table right now,” she said.
Or says the family remains hopeful that the rest of their relatives will also be returned safely.
‘As a family we all agreed: they are alive, they are doing well. They will come back,” he said.
Back in the United States, Rabbi Meir Hecht – the rabbi from Raanan’s hometown – said this weekend that the women’s return was an answer to the prayers of his congregation.
“We believe that our prayers have been heard on high and that the release of Judith and Natalie is more than a miracle,” he said in an interview Saturday evening.
This Raanan family photo shows Natalie Raanan and her father, Uri Raanan, in Mexico
DailyMail.com confirmed that the two hostages are Judith Raanan and Natalie Raanan, 17, a mother and daughter from Chicago who were visiting Israel for a relative’s birthday when they were kidnapped by Hamas terrorists.
Judith’s ex-husband Uri Raanan, Natalie’s father, has said both former hostages could be back in the United States early next week, in time for Natalie to celebrate her 18th birthday on Tuesday.
‘It goes well with her. She is doing very well,” he said of his daughter on Friday when he spoke to the Associated Press. “I’m in tears and I feel very, very good.”
Knowing that Natalie might be able to celebrate her big day at home with family and friends feels “amazing.” The best news,” the 71-year-old added.
Judith and Natalie Raanan had been in Israel to celebrate a relative’s birthday and the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah when they were taken hostage by Hamas during terrorist attacks that killed more than 1,400 people in the worst attack on civilians in the history of the state.
The murderous actions of Islamist gunmen, who breached the Jewish state’s border barrier with Gaza, have sparked a war between Israel and the terrorist organization and its sister group, Palestinian Islamic Jihad.