The American mother-and-daughter hostages freed by Hamas on Friday “kept each other safe” during the two weeks they were held by the terrorist organization in Gaza, according to their families.
Judith Raanan, 59, and her 17-year-old daughter, Natalie, depended on each other to get through the horrific two weeks after Hamas captured them on October 7, their cousins, Ayelet and Or Sella told ABC’s “Good Morning America” on Monday.
Israeli Americans are “physically healthy now” after they “kept each other safe,” the cousin said.
“We cannot describe what they have been through these two weeks,” said Or. “It’s going to take some time to sink in for them.”
The Chicago-area mother and daughter were seen hugging their relatives, including Judith’s sister Saray Cohen and mother Tamar Leviatan, in images shared online of the family’s emotional reunion with loved ones in Israel.
Judith Raanan, 59, and her 17-year-old daughter, Natalie, were captured by Hamas on Oct. 7. AP
Judith and Natalie were the first of more than 210 hostages held by Hamas to be released. The Qatari government helped broker a deal for their release, according to reports.
“I feel very lucky but also a little guilty,” Ayelet said. “There are more, we don’t know why they are.”
The mother-daughter duo had traveled to Israel from their home in Evanston, Illinois, to celebrate Judith’s mother’s 85th birthday and to mark the Jewish holiday season with family when they were taken hostage.
The family held an emotional reunion over the weekend after the mother and daughter were released on Friday. Sarah Cohen/Facebook
Although the family had rejoiced over Judith and Natalie’s return, they were far from celebrating. Eight of their relatives are still being held hostage by Hamas and three other family members were killed in the surprise attack.
Ayelet and Or, who are siblings, called on the Israeli government to secure the release of the remaining hostages before launching a much-anticipated ground attack on Gaza.
“We hope they are still alive. We hope they are not injured,” Or told the outlet. “And we hope and urge anyone who has influence to do everything they can to bring them back as soon as possible.”
Ayelet and Or Sella called on the Israeli government to ensure the release of the remaining hostages. ABC News Judith Raanan and her daughter, Natalie, were the first hostages freed in the war. Government of Israel/AFP via Getty Images
“We do not have the privilege to rejoice or celebrate. We don’t have the privilege to mourn,” added Ayelet. “We cannot relax. Getting Judith and Natalie back, that’s not the end. It is the beginning.”
Over the weekend, the Israel Defense Forces seemed to indicate its ground invasion was imminent, announcing that it would “deepen our offensive to minimize harm to our forces in the next phase of the war.”
US and Israeli officials have reportedly asked Judith and Natalie for details about their condition following their abduction in the hope it will provide insight into where the remaining hostages are being held.
The mother and daughter have spoken with President Biden since their release. US Embassy in Jerusalem/AFP via Getty Images
Hours after their release, the mother and daughter also spoke with President Biden and expressed their desire to help “bring everyone back,” according to Or.
“They are so brave and so strong,” said Or.
Ayelet added, “They handled this better than I expected.”
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
