CHICAGO, ILLINOIS: Abducted American mother-and-daughter duo Judith Tai Raanan, 59, and Natalie Shoshana Raanan, 17, were released by Hamas on Friday, October 20, after 13 days of captivity.
While Hamas said they were freed "for humanitarian reasons" in response to Qatari mediation, Natalie's brother Ben Raanan says their being "loving people" may have something to do with it.
The Illinois teenager and her mother went back to Israel after being handed over to the Red Cross. The Israeli government confirmed that they left Gaza through a crossing controlled by Egypt, per Daily Mail.
While the reason that propelled their release is still unknown, netizens have come forward with their own theories. Among others, one of the most common speculation is that they are relatives of former NBC News Tel Aviv bureau chief Martin Fletcher.
How were Judith Tai Raanan and Natalie Shoshana Raanan released?
Without any visible physical harm, the pair went out of Gaza in a car. After they stepped down from the vehicle, they were surrounded by ICRC staff wearing vests with red cross symbols.
They then boarded a Red Cross vehicle and drove away. The deal of their release was mediated by Qatar.
During a press conference, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said that 10 more Americans are still missing after they were taken hostage on October 7.
After announcing the release of the Raanans, Blinken said, “I can't speak publicly about the details of these efforts, and I know you understand that, but the urgent work to free every single American, to free all other hostages continues – as does our work to secure the safe passage out of Gaza for the Americans who are trapped there.”
He further added, “In this particular instance, I want to thank the Government of Qatar for their very important assistance.”
He refused to comment on how the Raanans were doing after being handed over.
Celebrating the Raanans’ release, Blinken added, “We welcome (the Raanans') release. We share in the relief that their families, friends and loved ones are feeling.”
Nevertheless, he also worried about the other missing American citizens, saying, “But there are still ten additional Americans who remain unaccounted for in this conflict.”
He continued, “Some of them are being held hostage by Hamas along with an estimated 200 other hostages held in Gaza. They include men, women and young boys, young girls and people from many nations. Every single one of them should be released.”
Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, also celebrated the move and said, “Two of our abducted are home,” before adding, “We are not giving up the effort to bring all of the hostages and missing people home. At the same time, we are continuing to fight until victory.”
Citing the Qatari involvement in the negotiation, former CIA chief of staff Jeremy Bash said, “When there has been a need to get messages to Hamas in the past, usually Qatar is one of the go-betweens.”
Bash added that the Raanans will be carefully debriefed by the IDF about potential intelligence they might have heard during their time of captivity.
President Joe Biden also released a statement, saying he was “overjoyed” at the two women’s release and will continue efforts to free the other Americans.
Uri Raanan says wife and daughter 'doing good’
Natalie’s father, Uri Raanan, 71, celebrated their return, “She's doing good. She's doing very good.”
He added, “She did not tell me anything. But she told me they treat her nice, and she was doing very good.”
He continued, “I'm going to hug her and kiss her, and it's going to be the best day of my life.”
In a press conference outside his home, Uri said that Natalie would be able to celebrate her 18th birthday with her family and friends next week, adding, “I spoke with my daughter earlier today - she sounds good, and she looks good.”
He also talked about his conversation with Biden, “I spoke with President Biden. I thanked him for his concern, in releasing them. He was very nice.”
He also thanked the Democratic governor of Illinois, JB Pritzker, and said, “I spoke to Governor Pritzker and he was nice.”
He talked about his ordeal for the last 13 days saying, “I did not sleep at night and my head was always in Israel.”
“Lots of phone calls, lots of TV. I've been glued to the tv for two weeks, hoping for good news - and finally it came,” he added.
“I did not lose hope. Praying, and just waiting for this moment,” continued the father.
When Natalie's brother, Ben Raanan, was asked about the reason of their release, he said, “I do not know.”
He added, “They are not politicians. They are not people with intense feelings about Israel, Gaza, Palestine.”
He hypothesized, “They are Israelis, they are loving people, and I think it may be something to do with that.”
Internet puzzled over Judith Tai Raanan and Natalie Shoshana Raanan' release
While it was said that the mother and daughter duo were released because of humanitarian reason, netizens were not satisfied and they came up with their own ideas.
One social media user said, "I’m glad they were released but they weren’t released because of humanitarian kindness but only because they have connections to the network. If Hamas wanted to be kind he would released all the kids babies and elderly people first!"
"I guess Hamas found out that they were on the same team," said someone else.
"Weird. Just gave them back? In exchange for nothing at all? Where is the story?" quipped someone else.
"Reports confirm that Russia was talking to Hamas about releasing hostages. Now two Americans are coming home," another user hypothesized.
A netizen hypothesized, "So Biden only gets the privileged family with high level media connections released? Surely just a coincidence, right?"
Someone else quipped, "Obviously its a relief to have two hostages out. But Hamas is not stupid. They knew this would get them max publicity in US because of the connection with a veteran NBC newsman."
