Lake County Gazette

Mary Cole, a candidate for Lake County State's Attorney, has extended her thoughts and prayers to the family of Natalie Raanan, a graduate of Deerfield High School, and her mother Judith, who have gone missing in Israel following the Oct. 9 attack by Hamas.

In a heartfelt message shared on her Facebook page, Cole conveyed her sympathies to the Raanan family during this challenging time.

“My heart and prayers go out to fellow Deerfield High School alumna Natalie Raanan and her family. She and her mother Judith are in Israel and both have been missing since the brutal and senseless attack by Hamas. At this dark hour, I stand firmly with the people of Israel and the people in our area who love Israel,” Cole said on Facebook.

Images from a community event in support of Israel. | Mary Cole for Lake County State's Attorney / Facebook

Raanan was reported missing in Israel, with concerns that she may have been taken hostage by the Palestinian militant group Hamas during an attack.

Natalie's mother, Judith, is also missing after the incident, which occurred while they were visiting relatives in Nahal Oz, near the Gaza Strip.

Neither Natalie or Judith have been heard from since the Oct. 9 attack.

The duo went missing while celebrating the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah in Kibbutz Nahal Oz in Israel.

They were likely taken as hostages by Hamas gunmen following a terrorist attack on October 7, 2023.

Family and community members have shared their concerns about their well-being and are hoping for their safe return.

“We received this terrible news that Judith and her daughter Natalie are missing and apparently were most likely taken as hostages to Gaza,” Meir Hecht told the Times of Israel. “It feels like our community has been violated.”

Natalie’s brother Ben Raanan told ABC 7 he is hopeful his sister and stepmother are still alive.

"We have received intelligence from the American government as well as the Israeli government that the belief is that they are still alive and somewhere in Gaza. However, we have not yet received any sort of proof of life from Hamas," Ben Raanan told ABC 7.

Cole marched with others locally in a show of support for Israelis in the wake of the attack.

“Our community came together in support of the people of Israel this morning. I have very good friends in Israel right now. Please join me in praying for them and everyone in the region that they find safety and peace. Thank you Jewish United Fund of Chicago - JUF for organizing such a powerful event,” Cole said on Facebook.