Former hostage begs Trump: Help free Gaza captives

Listen To Story Above

Judith Raanan, recently freed from Hamas captivity, met with President-elect Donald Trump in Florida on Monday to advocate for the remaining hostages still held in Gaza.

During their meeting, Raanan presented Trump with her artwork and shared her harrowing experience of being kidnapped. “Please do everything possible to bring the 100 hostages home,” she implored Trump.

According to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, Raanan expressed her trust in Trump and requested his full support in securing the return of all hostages, both living and deceased, for proper care and burial.

President Donald Trump presented an award for strength, resilience, and faith to Judith Raanan, recently freed from Hamas captivity in Gaza, at a golf event hosted by Rabbi Dovid and Chana Vigler, directors of Chabad of Palm Beach Gardens, FL. pic.twitter.com/qvQhoQC1pp

— Yossi Farro (@FarroYossi) December 10, 2024

Raanan and her daughter Natalie, both Israeli-American citizens, were visiting Israel from their home in Evanston, Illinois, to celebrate a family birthday when Hamas terrorists captured them from Kibbutz Nahal Oz on October 7. They gained their freedom on October 20.

In her first post-release interview, Raanan recalled the disturbing scene of Hamas terrorists being welcomed with cheers by hospital staff upon bringing them to a Gaza medical facility.

Trump addressed the hostage situation during their meeting, stating, “We’re working very hard to get the hostages back and as you know Jan. 20 is a very big day.”

Previously, Trump had issued a stern warning to Hamas, declaring “ALL HELL TO PAY” if hostages weren’t released by his January 20 inauguration, adding “Those responsible will be hit harder than anybody has been hit in the long and storied history of the United States of America. RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW!”

Israel’s President Herzog acknowledged these diplomatic efforts during an emergency discussion on International Human Rights Day, noting “There is now a significant renewed effort under way. I sincerely thank outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump. Their actions have brought about meaningful change.”

Released hostage Judith Raanan in her first TV interview: The nurses at the hospital in Gaza ululated and “were all so happy that they came back with prey, with Israeli, Jewish prey. The minute we came in, all the nurses were standing there and going like this [cheering].” pic.twitter.com/euLKcigigH

— Jotam Confino (@mrconfino) March 14, 2024

The discussion, marking 431 days of captivity, included freed hostages and families of those still detained. Herzog emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating “We are marking 431 days of the most unimaginable violations of human rights. Today, on International Human Rights Day, not a single right has been upheld by the criminal and terrorist organization Hamas. The entire world must cry out with all its might against this heinous organization and its flagrant violations of human rights.”

Herzog concluded with an urgent appeal: “I call on all parties: Bring them home. That is the overriding imperative emanating from here because, as all the data presented makes clear, the hostages are in grave mortal danger.”