As former Hamas hostages prepare to return home, family of kidnapped man share joy, concern

CHICAGO — After 14 dark days, Uri Raanan expects the best day of his life to be about a week away. Raanan’s daughter Natalie Raanan and her mother Judith Raanan, Uri’s ex-wife, were released into Israel Friday after two weeks spent as hostages of the terrorist group Hamas. Natalie and Judith plan to fly back to Chicago in about a week, Uri Raanan told reporters from his home in Bannockburn, near Deerfield, Friday evening, hours after the first news reports of their release. “I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time,” Uri said. “I haven’t been sleeping for two weeks.” Hamas operatives ...