Chicago area woman returns home after being held hostage by Hamas
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A young woman from the North Shore has arrived back in Chicago, after being taken hostage by Hamas during the Oct. 7 attack.
Natalie Ranaan, an 18-year-old recent Deerfield High School graduate, was visiting family in Israel earlier this month, when she and her mother were taken hostage by Hamas. They were abducted as Hamas attacked the town they were staying in near the Gaza border.
They were released 10 days ago.
A top Israeli official in the U.S. said he spoke to several of her family members.
"Just a couple of hours ago, we got the news that Natalie landed in Chicago and headed back home - together with her family members, who've been anxiously waiting for her to come to Chicago," Yinam Cohen, Consul General of Israel to the Midwest, told CBS 2.
Raanan was released just in time for her 18th birthday.
"I am relieved to see Natalie back home in Chicago. Her family members have been anxiously waiting for her return, and today I am sharing their happiness," Cohen added in a news release. "While we're celebrating Natalie's return, we remember the 239 hostages, among them babies, children, women, and the elderly, who are still held by Hamas in Gaza. This week, family members of those still held hostage by Hamas will be in Chicago to share their stories and call for their immediate release."
The family's rabbi last week shared how the community would make sure Natalie is celebrated on her 18th birthday.
"For her, this has got to be a birthday that has meaning on an entirely different level, something none of us could imagine how deeply special it is for her," said Rabbi Meir Hecht, co-director of Chabad of Evanston. "She'll remember it for the rest of her life. We for our part, our community, are going to send something very special to her for this celebration, for this special day."
We are told Natalie's mother, Judith, was still in Israel as of Monday night Chicago time – but will be returning to Chicago soon.