Ronen Engel

Ronen Grew up in Tel Aviv, and married Karina, a new immigrant from Argentina. First, they lived in Holon, and twelve years ago the family moved to Kibbutz Nir Oz with their children: Tom (21), Mika (18) and Yuval (11).
Ronen had just completed a degree in water engineering. He was also a photographer, a devoted motorcycle enthusiast and vintage collector. Ronen volunteered with ‘Magen David Adom’ as an emergency medical technician, and was nearing the completion of his ambulance driver training.
In the morning of October 7th, Ronen grabbed his emergency medic backpack and went out to save the lives of other members of the Nir Oz community. His medic backpack was later found abandoned in the kibbutz area.
Four members of the Engel family, father; Ronen, mother; Karina (51), daughters Mika and Yuval, were kidnapped by Hamas terrorists. Tom, the firstborn, did not spend the weekend on the kibbutz. In the family’s last messages, they said they were hiding in their sealed room, aware of what was taking place on the grounds of the kibbutz.
Around midday, Ronen’s brother Danny was looking at his brother’s Facebook page when he saw a new story posted: A video of a Hamas terrorist smiling to the camera, saying something in Arabic. “I know my brother. If Ronen is a hostage, he’ll find the strength to get through it,” said Danny Engel, describing his brother as “terribly optimistic.” He shares further: “Ronen was always laughing, nothing ever stresses him out. An indefatigable mischief-maker who drove our parents wild. And then he settled down with a wife and three kids...”
The Engels’ phones were traced and located in Gaza, and family members were told there were no signs of violence in the house, that it wasn’t burned, and their dogs were still alive.

Ronen’s wife, Karina Engelbert, a recent cancer survivor, holds an Argentine citizenship. The family has been trying to get assistance from the Argentine Embassy in Israel and through South American media.
Karina, Mika, and Yuval were released on November 27, 2023 as part of a temporary cease-fire deal, and were reunited at home with Tom.
Tragically, after 55 days of uncertainty, the family was informed that Ronen had been murdered. The IDF confirmed the death of Ronen Engel on December 1, 2023, while his body is still being held in Gaza. Ronen left behind a heart-broken family.

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