Hamas captured American mom, daughter on Israel trip, rabbi says
Judith Raanan, her daughter, Natalie, traveled to Nahal Oz in Israel, about 1 mile from Gaza border
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A mother and daughter from the suburbs of Chicago were taken hostage by Hamas during their trip to Israel to celebrate a Jewish holiday season and a birthday party, according to their rabbi.
Judith Raanan and her 17-year-old daughter, Natalie Raanan, traveled to Nahal Oz in Israel, about a mile from the Gaza border, to celebrate a relative's 85th birthday and Simchat Torah.
"It has been confirmed to the family that both Judith and Natalie are alive and are hostages in Gaza," Rabbi Meir Hecht of Evanston, Illinois, told Fox News Digital. "The Israeli government and the State Department confirmed that information with the family."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}It has been more than a week since the Raanans' family members heard from them. They were in Israel when Hamas launched a surprise attack against the country on Saturday, Oct. 7, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared war against the terrorist group.
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This undated photo provided by Rabbi Meir Hecht on behalf of the Raanan family shows Judith Raanan, left, and her daughter, Natalie, 17, after Natalie's high school graduation. (Raanan Family via AP)
Hamas has since abducted an estimated 150 people, including about 13 Americans.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"It's a painful and devastating situation, and it's important to realize that this is a war against outright evil, savage murderers that killed babies in their homes and took hostages, civilians, out of their homes in their towns where they lived peacefully, and whenever there's such utter darkness, we know that we have to bring more light and goodness to the world, and goodness will prevail," Hecht said, asking for the public to pray.
The Evanston community organized a vigil for the two missing women on Oct. 12.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Sigal Zamir, left, and husband Avi attend a prayer vigil for Judith Raanan and her daughter, Natalie, on Oct. 12, 2023, in Evanston, Illinois. (AP Photo / Charles Rex Arbogast)
Natalie's uncle, Avi Zamir, described the teenager as a "kind person" and a "sweetheart" at the vigil. "We fear for her. We pray for her. We hope she's together with her mom," Zamir said.
"They’re innocent and loving," said her aunt, Sigal Zamir, "and they didn’t do anything."
CASUALTIES, KIDNAPPED AND MORE NUMBERS SINCE HAMAS' ATTACK ON ISRAEL
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}More than 3,600 people, including 30 Americans, have been killed since Hamas attacked Israel a little more than a week ago.
White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said Sunday the U.S. is "actively trying" to locate hostages taken in Gaza and "won't rule anything in or out" with regard to the American effort.
Israeli armored personnel carriers move in formation near the border with Lebanon on Oct. 15, 2023, in Amiad, Israel. (Amir Levy / Getty Images)
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"We are actively trying to find out where they are," Kirby told "Fox News Sunday" host Shannon Bream. "We don’t even know how many exactly. A small handful we know, but there could be more than we know. They could be in different groups. They could be moved around. I think you can understand, I hope everybody can understand, we’re going to be careful about what we say publicly about our efforts to get those hostages home."
Fox News' Greg Norman and the Associated Press contributed to this report.