October 7 · Personal story
Natalie Raanan
Abducted
October 7, 2023
Abduction location
A guest apartment in Kibbutz Nahal Oz, Israel.
Current outcome
Released alive · October 20, 2023
Released alive with Judith on October 20, 2023, after nearly two weeks in captivity.
01
A life opening outward
Natalie Raanan was 17 and had just graduated from Deerfield High School outside Chicago. Her aunt Saray Cohen said she planned a gap year while deciding between beauty care and interior design. Her brother Ben described her interest in art, makeup and fashion, and the possibility of college or a tattoo-shop apprenticeship. He also spoke about her close bond with their older brother Adam, who is nonverbal. Natalie loved animals, especially dogs. Her dog Panda had recently died; she hoped to get a French bulldog when she returned to the United States.
02
Taken while visiting family
In September 2023, Natalie travelled to Israel with her mother Judith for the Jewish holidays and her grandmother Tamar’s eighty-fifth birthday. On October 7, they were staying in a guest apartment near the fence in Kibbutz Nahal Oz. During the morning, Natalie sent relatives messages about gunfire and sheltering in the protected room, telling them they were okay and loved them. Her last message arrived at 12:18 p.m. Armed men broke into the apartment shortly afterward and took mother and daughter together.
03
Held with her mother
Natalie was held with her mother for nearly two weeks. Judith later described how captors bound them, took them at gunpoint toward Gaza and injured her hand while cutting a restraint. To help Natalie through captivity, Judith sang to her and requested colored pencils and paper. Among the songs she recalled was Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World.”
04
Released alive
Natalie and Judith were freed alive on October 20, 2023, the first hostages released from Gaza after the attack. Her father Uri spoke with Natalie by telephone that day and told the Associated Press that she was doing well. He hoped she would be able to celebrate her eighteenth birthday the following week with family and friends.
05
Family and plans ahead
On October 24, 2023, Natalie celebrated her eighteenth birthday with family in Israel. Before the trip, she and Ben had discussed getting matching tattoos for that birthday. During her captivity, Ben instead got a tattoo in her honor that incorporated his name, Natalie’s and their brother’s.