Ronen Engel Identified Among Hostage Bodies Returned to Israel

Ronen Engel, a 54-year-old member of Kibbutz Nir Oz's emergency response team, was identified as one of two bodies returned to Israel by Hamas after being held captive since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack. Engel was killed while defending his community from terrorists and his body was abducted to Gaza, where his fate remained uncertain until his remains were returned. His wife Karina and their daughters Mika and Yuval were also kidnapped but freed in a November 2023 hostage-prisoner exchange. The return of Engel's body was met with sorrow and relief by his family and the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which vowed to continue efforts to recover all hostages. The identification came amid ongoing tensions and ceasefire efforts between Israel and Hamas, with recent warnings from the U.S. about potential Hamas violations of the ceasefire. The Israeli government has faced criticism over its handling of the October 7 attacks and subsequent events.