Family and friends are desperate for the return of a local mother and daughter believed to be held hostage by Hamas following weekend attacks in Israel and Gaza
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that left more than 1,500 Israelis and Palestinians dead.Natalie Raanan and her mom, Judith, were reported missing while visiting family in Israel during the surprise attack, according to a Facebook post by Chabad of Evanston, where Judith is a longtime congregant.
“I want them back,” said Uri Raanan, Natalie’s father, his voice breaking as he spoke to the Tribune. “It’s been a very bad time.”
Natalie and Judith were visiting relatives in Nahal Oz for Simchat Torah, a festive Jewish holiday that marks the conclusion of the annual reading of the Torah.
The kibbutz, located near the Gaza border, was attacked by militants Saturday, according to CNN.
Violence broke out following Hamas’ attack on Israel and Israel’s declaration of war. The death toll has surpassed 1,500, with thousands more injured or missing. Retaliatory strikes by Israel have left hundreds of dead and wounded Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, sending tens of thousands of Palestinians fleeing to United Nations shelters, according to The Associated Press.
Since Uri Raanan’s daughter went missing, he has been in contact with the Federal Bureau of Investigations and local family in Israel, he said.
Rabbi Meir Hecht of the Evanston Chabad said Judith had been talking about the trip for weeks and was very excited to return to her place of birth for the holiday season.
“Judith is the kind of person who always loves to celebrate with others,” Hecht said. “She’s a really caring, giving, committed and generous soul. She’s someone who’s always there to help others.”
Hecht added that the congregation is “greatly distressed and pained,” and concerned for the welfare of Judith, Natalie and all the citizens of Israel.
Deerfield High School Principal Kathryn Anderson sent a letter to the school community expressing concern for the fate of Natalie Raanan, who graduated in the spring.
“It is with great sadness that I share we have received word that DHS alumna, Natalie Raanan (Class of 2023), who was visiting family in Israel, has been reported missing,” Anderson said in the letter. “Her family fears that she has been taken hostage by Hamas.
“We keep Natalie and her family in our hearts, along with all the innocent lives lost, wounded and impacted by the terrorist attack,” the principal wrote.
Anderson noted in the letter that counseling services are available to all students.
U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Evanston, said that over the weekend she had received “the horrifying news that two of my constituents, who were visiting Israel for the Jewish holidays, are missing, and are believed to have been abducted.”
She said her office immediately reached out to the U.S. State Department to tell officials about the missing constituents and State Department officials quickly responded, “letting us know that they are looking into the case.”
“I remain in close contact with the family and friends of my missing constituents and will continue to do all I can to ensure their safe and immediate return,” Schakowsky added. “We must all stand united and unequivocally condemn the vicious attacks carried out by Hamas.”
In an address Tuesday, President Joe Biden called the Hamas attack an “act of sheer evil.”
“Parents butchered using their bodies to try to protect their children,” he said. “Stomach-turning reports of … babies being killed. Entire families slain. Young people massacred while attending a musical festival to celebrate peace — to celebrate peace.”
Biden also said 14 Americans have been killed in the fighting, up from 11 previously reported. He confirmed that U.S. citizens are being held hostage by Hamas. White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said U.S. officials don’t know exactly how many Americans have been taken hostage, according to The Associated Press.
“So, in this moment, we must be crystal clear: We stand with Israel. … And we will make sure Israel has what it needs to take care of its citizens, defend itself, and respond to this attack,” Biden said. “There is no justification for terrorism. There is no excuse.”
Yinam Cohen, consul general of Israel to the Midwest — who is based in Chicago ? said his office has been in contact with the Raanan family.
Because of the large-scale violence in the region over the last few days, government officials “are still gathering information on names of the casualties, wounded and hostages held in Gaza,” he added.
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“The past four days have been devastating for Israel,” Cohen said. “The death toll continues to rise.”
The Associated Press contributed.