A Chicago-area mother and daughter who were visiting family in Israel are among missing Americans feared kidnapped by Hamas terrorists, relatives said.
Judith Tai Raanan and Natalie Raanan were in Nahal Oz, a small village near the Gaza Strip, when Hamas invaded and destroyed several towns on Saturday, taking more than 150 people hostage, CNN reports.
Judith’s brother and Natalie’s father said neither have heard from the duo and fear they have been kidnapped by the terrorists following harrowing videos and images of Hamas kidnapping women during their coordinated assault.
“My daughter and her mother have been [captured] by HAMAS,” Father Uri Raanan said in a desperate Facebook post.
Adi Leviatan, Judith’s brother, told CNN that his sister and niece had arrived in Israel last Monday, but that he had not heard from them since the weekend violence.
Natalie Raanan of Illinois is among the Americans missing in Israel following Hamas attacks on Saturday. Facebook / Keren Cohen Natalie was accompanied by her mother Judith Tai Raanan on a trip to visit a family near the Gaza Strip, and it was feared that both her mother and daughter have been kidnapped by Hamas. Facebook/Keren Cohen
The family has remained in contact with the US Embassy, which is working to confirm the status of the Americans currently reported missing in Israel.
President Biden has confirmed that at least 11 Americans were killed in Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel, but officials have yet to say how many American citizens are missing. Earlier Monday, the State Department had said there were nine known American victims.
“We can confirm that there are missing American citizens and we are working with our Israeli partners to determine their whereabouts,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement.
Horrifying videos have emerged of the terrorist group kidnapping more than 150 people in Israel. AP The extremist group has celebrated the kidnapping and murder of more than 700 people in Israel. fake images
U.S. officials have not identified either Americans killed in the conflict or those missing.
The State Department did not respond to the Post’s request for comment.
Officials have said a team of American veterans is preparing to fly to help rescue Americans trapped in Israel, and the Embassy is urging American citizens to prepare for emergency evacuations.
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