2 Americans taken hostage by Hamas during the attack on Israel are freed
NPR2 Americans taken hostage by Hamas during the attack on Israel are freed Enlarge this image toggle caption AP AP JERUSALEM — Two American hostages who were captured by the militant group Hamas during its attack on Israel this month have been released, the Israeli prime minister's office announced Friday. Sponsor Message The mother and daughter had traveled to Israel together to celebrate Judith Raanan's mother's 85th birthday, Cohen said in the Kan video, which was posted earlier Friday. Enlarge this image toggle caption Charles Rex Arbogast/AP Charles Rex Arbogast/AP But the messages stopped soon after noon, Cohen said. Enlarge this image toggle caption Charles Rex Arbogast/AP Charles Rex Arbogast/AP "The news that Judith and Natalie have been released gives us overwhelming gratitude to God that our prayers are being heard," Rabbi Meir Hecht of Chabad of Evanston, who is close to the family, told NPR.