DENVER — President Joe Biden visited Israel Wednesday for the first time since Hamas launched their surprise attack Oct. 7. The president has been in contact with a man in Denver about his family being held hostage by Hamas.
Ben Raanan hasn’t heard from his 17-year-old sister, Natalie Raanan, and stepmother, Judith, since Hamas attacked Israel. Natalie and Judith were visiting Israel to celebrate Judith’s mother’s 85th birthday. The last time he knows they were alive is when a neighbor saw them forced from where they were staying at gunpoint.
“Natalie is your typical 17-year-old,” Ben Raanan said.
With plenty planned for her future, Natalie Raanan just graduated high school.
“She was deciding if it was fashion school, if it was interior design, or if it was a tattoo apprenticeship,” Raanan said.
Natalie was born in America, lived in Israel, and moved back to the States 10 years ago.
“The day after she moved to America, I took her out and we saw Cirque de Soleil,” Raanan said.
Natalie and Judith were visiting Israel when Hamas first attacked on Oct. 7.
“She sent a text saying ‘Hey, I am hearing gunshots and explosions, I locked the doors, I kind of barricaded myself in here with my stepmom. We are going to try to remain as quiet as possible,’” Raanan said.
The place where they were staying was searched, but it was empty.
“A couple days later we received some information from a neighbor who had peered out and seen them taken at gunpoint by Hamas, and that's the last we have seen from them, or heard from them,” Raanan said.
That was nearly two weeks ago.
“The hardest part is the unknown, and even harder part is this idea we might not know for a while. There may not be a resolution to this for weeks or months,” Raanan said.
The Raanan family has heard from the U.S. and Israeli governments just about daily.
“We met with President Biden via Zoom last week, who was really, really wonderful, who really gave more time than I would expect a president to give,” Raanan said. “The American and Israeli governments believe the two are alive and being held hostage somewhere in Gaza.”
All Ben said he can do is hang onto hope until he is reunited with his little sister again.
“I would like to say that we would have some big, expensive meal, but I know what she would actually want is McDonald’s, so I’ll come to her with her french fries because she loves McDonald’s french fries,” Raanan said. “And just let her know her family is here for you. Your family is prepared to go on whatever journey we need to, to make sure you're OK.”
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