Evanston teen Natalie Raanan, held hostage by Hamas, returns to Chicago after release

CHICAGO (WLS) -- An Evanston native released by Hamas after being held hostage for several weeks, is now back in Chicago.

Evanston is where Natalie and her mother, Judith, have called home, and on Monday night, the teenager's return to the U.S. is being welcomed.

Natalie and her mother were the first of Hamas' hostages released back on Oct. 20 after nearly two weeks in captivity in Gaza.

They had been visiting relatives at the Nahal Oz kibbutz in southern Israel when Hamas attacked on Oct. 7. They were taken along with more than 200 others, while 1,400 people were killed in the attack that started the latest round of fighting in the Middle East.

SEE ALSO | Cousins of Hamas hostages from Evanston, Judith and Natalie Raanan, speak out: 'It is not the end'

Natalie, who recently graduated from Deerfield High School, was released four days before her 18th birthday. Her father, Uri Raanan, spoke publicly for the first time on the night she was released.

"I told her, 'I love you. I miss you very much.' And I spoke to her for a minute or two, but it was very, very emotional," he said. "I haven't been sleeping for two weeks. Tonight I'm going to sleep good."

WATCH: Natalie Raanan's father speaks publicly for first time

Uri Raanan, father of Natalie Raanan and ex-husband of Judith Raanan who were released to Israel Friday, spoke publicly for the first time since Hamas took them hostage.

Judith did not return to the U.S. with her daughter on Monday, and is still with family in Israel, according to the Consulate General of Israel to the Midwest. In announcing Natalie's return, the consulate remembered all those still being kidnapped.

"I didn't speak to her personally about her experience. But, I can only imagine that being held in the underground tunnels in Gaza without knowing your future, when you're going to be released. What's going to happen with you? What is going to happen with other hostages? It's a very, very unpleasant experience. I'm sure it will take some time to recover. But, from what I hear from family members and friends, I know she's a very strong girl, and I really hope that she's OK now," said Israeli Consul General Yinam Cohen.

Sources told ABC7 that the family has no plans for a press conference at this time, and, naturally, wants to heal in privacy.

There are more than 200 additional hostages being held by Hamas, including about a dozen Americans. Sources told ABC7 that family members of people still being held by Hamas will travel to Chicago this week to call for their release.