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    Israel, US confirm Hamas release of Illinois hostages: ‘I’m going to sleep tonight,’ says father of held teen

    by Ilana Arougheti, Chicago Tribune Oct 20, 2023 5 minutes
    Natalie Raanan and her mother Judith Raanan, right, following their release from Hamas captivity, on Friday, Oct. 20, 2023. In the center is government hostage envoy Gal Hirsch. The Israeli government said Hamas militants on Friday freed two Americans-- Judith Raanan and her 17- year-old daughter Natalie, who had been held hostage in Gaza since militants rampaged...

    CHICAGO — Judith and Natalie Raanan, a mother and daughter from Evanston who have been hostages of terrorist group Hamas since Oct. 7, have been released, according to the Israeli and United States governments.

    “I feel very, very good,” Uri Raanan, Natalie’s father and Judith’s ex-husband, told the Tribune Friday afternoon. “I’m going to sleep tonight. I spoke with my daughter, she’s feeling good, she looks good.”

    Natalie, 17, and Judith, 59, were taken hostage by Hamas, which controls the Gaza strip, during a coordinated attack on Oct. 7. They had been visiting relatives at Nahal Oz in southern Israel when Hamas operatives entered the kibbutz during a surprise attack on the region, Ben Raanan, Natalie’s brother and Judith’s stepson, told the Tribune.

    Natalie’s family members had last heard from her the morning of

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