Dad’s first words with daughter after Hamas frees two US hostages Natalie, Judith Raanan

The father of an American hostage released in Israel by Hamas has told of his relief and how he plans to celebrate her 18th birthday. See the video.

The father of an American hostage released in Israel says it was “the best day of his life” as he plans to celebrate her 18th birthday in Chicago next week.

Uri Raanan’s daughter Natalie, and ex-wife Judith, were the first Hamas hostages released two weeks after the terror attack on Israel’s border with Gaza.

They were among 200 people taken in the attack which killed more than 1400 Israelis and provoked a bombing campaign on the Gaza strip.

The Israeli Defence claims its campaign has so far “neutralised” 1000 Hamas terrorists.

Hamas has vowed to release more civilian hostages if the Israeli government “stops their aggression”.

Natalie Shoshana Raanan and Judith Tai Raanan speaking on the phone with US President Joe Biden, after being held hostage and later released by Hamas. Picture: AFP

Mr Raanan, 71, held a packed late night press conference in Chicago, where he revealed he had spoken briefly with his daughter.

“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,” he said.

“Her mother has a little scratch on her hand, but she told me it’s nothing.

“Next week is Natalie’s birthday on the 24th. And we’re going to celebrate her birthday here in my home.”

US civilians Judith Raanan and her daughter Natalie Raanan were released by Hamas after being taken hostage on October 7.

Mr Raanan said he had not slept in the two weeks since Natalie and Judith were taken.

He said he was “glued to the TV” as he prayed for their safe return but added he never “lost hope”.

Mr Raanan said the news that Natalie was safe was the “the best day of my life”.

He said he was “going to hug and kiss her” when they were reunited.

“She’s a typical American teenager. She cares about her nails, about her hair, about fashion,” Mr Raanan said.

Natalie’s brother, Ben Raanan, 17, added: “When I see her again, I think there aren’t going to be words to express what’s going on.

“It’s just going to be like this intense hug that is bigger than words and bigger than what we could actually communicate verbally.”

Natalie had travelled with her mother to Israel to celebrate her grandmother’s 85th birthday.

The pair were in the care of the Israeli Defence Forces on Saturday.

They did not reveal details of how they were treated when they were held hostage, Mr Raanan said, adding they were expected to return to America on a commercial flight.

Natalie’s step sister Frida Alonso, 19, choked back tears as she told of her relief.

Natalie Shoshana Raanan (2nd L) and Judith Tai Raanan (2nd R) after being held hostage and later released by Hamas at an undiclosed location. Picture: AFP

“I’m so happy you’re finally coming home, you’ve been missed so much. We hoped you were alive and safe,” she said.

“We know you’re so brave and strong. And that’s how you and your mom made it through this.”

Mr Raanan spoke with US president Joe Biden who helped broker the release, which came after aid was allowed to flow into Gaza from its border with Egypt.

He said he thanked the President in a phone call with the White House.

Mr Biden released a statement on Saturday, saying he was “overjoyed” Natalie and Judith were free.

“Today, we have secured the release of two Americans taken hostage by Hamas during the horrific terrorist assault against Israel on October 7,” Mr Biden said.

“Our fellow citizens have endured a terrible ordeal these past 14 days, and I am overjoyed that they will soon be reunited with their family, who has been wracked with fear.”

“We will not stop until we get their loved ones home. As president, I have no higher priority than the safety of Americans held hostage around the world,” Biden said.

A woman looks at posters showing the pictures of hostages held by Palestinian militants since the October 7 attack. Picture: AFP

There were another 10 American hostages among those held by Hamas, likely hidden in underground tunnels in Gaza.

Photographs showed Natalie looking drawn and tired in a grey, zipped hooded jumper and loose jeans.

Her mother was in a bright blue dress, with a flowered pattern, as they were helped by the Israeli Defence Force troops.

Hamas spokesman Mohammed Nazza spoke on Saturday to Al Jazeera TV, which is based in Qatar, a Persian gulf emirate that has acted as a go-between for America and the terrorist group.

“We are waiting to make an exchange deal through mediators about the other prisoners,” Mr Nazzal said.

“We have some civilians. We are ready to release them, but we want different Israeli troops to stop their aggression.”

MORE AMERICANS TAKEN HOSTAGE

Other missing Americans feared kidnapped include 21-year-old Omer Neutra, a New York Knicks fan who grew up on Long Island. After a gap year in Israel in 2020, he volunteered to join the Israeli Military.

“Then all hell broke loose, and we haven’t spoken to him since,” his mother, Orna Neutra, told The New York Times, which confirmed the identities of Americans feared captive.

A woman looks at posters showing hostages. Picture: AFP

Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, moved from California to Jerusalem in 2008. He has not been seen or heard from since the music festival, when he sent his mother two consecutive text messages: “I love you.” “I’m sorry”.

Sagui Dekel-Chen, 35, was a massive Red Sox fan and father of two. He hid his pregnant wife and two children into a kibbutz bomb shelter locked its armoured door.

Father Jonathan Dekel-Chen said his son was among the first to warn villagers and fight off attackers “for hours” to protect his family. His phone was traced to Gaza.

Adrienne Neta, 66, was born and raised in California before moving to a kibbutz in Israel. Son Nahar Neta said she has not been heard of since terrorists broke into her home in Be’eri, where 10 per cent of the village’s population was killed.

Itay Chen, 19, was serving in the Israeli Army when he went missing during the first day of the attack. Father Ruby Chen pleaded with US president Biden. “Make this end for us as soon as possible,” he told the Times.