October 20, 2023 – Israel-Hamas war
Uri Raanan, the father of Natalie Raanan, one of the American hostages released Friday by Hamas, told reporters Friday evening during a news conference he spoke with his daughter earlier in the day and said she was in a good state.
“I spoke with my daughter earlier today. She sounds very good, she looks very good. She was very happy. And she’s waiting to come home,” Uri Raanan said while speaking outside his house near Chicago.
He said his daughter’s mother has a “little scratch on her hand,” but said she didn’t otherwise report any injuries.
“Hopefully, I’m going to see them next week,” Uri Raanan said, noting his daughter’s birthday is Tuesday.
“We’re going to celebrate her birthday in my home,” Raanan said.
Raanan said he first found out about their release when he started receiving photos from Israeli television stations. The Israel Defense Forces called him, saying they were going to meet his daughter and her mother and would call him back, he said.
After the IDF met the mother and daughter, Raanan was called and he was able to speak with his daughter over the phone, he said.
“She told me … she was very good,” he said, adding that when he first sees her “I’m going to hug her and kiss her and it’s going to be the best day of my life.”
Raanan said he “did not sleep at night” during the days of uncertainty while his daughter and Judith Tai Raanan were being held hostage.
Raanan spoke by phone to both Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and US President Joe Biden Friday following the release.
“I thanked him for his concern, for his help with the release of them. He was very, very nice,” Raanan said.
His current wife, Paola, said they are eager to have her back home.
“I love Natalie so much,” she said. “I have faith in the world. I have faith in peace.”
Asked if he had any advice for other families waiting for news about the loved ones who are still held hostage, Raanan responded: “I say pray and hope for good.”
