“It’s not what we hoped, it’s not what we wished for him, but it’s finally here. Our hearts are with the families of the hostages, and we won’t stop until the final slain hostage [is returned]."
Engel's family found out he was dead on December 1, 2023.
As terrorists stormed Israel during the October 7 massacre, Engel set out as a volunteer medic in an attempt to treat those who had been hurt in Kibbutz Nir Oz - but paid the ultimate price for his bravery.
Magen David Adom (MDA) said in a statement that Engel left his house that morning with his first responder bag to try and help others.
Yossi Abuharon, the volunteer manager of the Ofakim MDA station, said: “[Engel] was always smiling, that was his hallmark. Even when we arrived at the worst of accidents, he managed to make his patients smile and forget their troubles for a moment.”
Engel has also left behind his son Tom, who was away on October 7, and his brother Dani.
Dani wrote: “My brother was truly a hero. Ronen fought for the lives of Karina, Mika and Yuval, and that doesn’t surprise anyone. We all know who Ronen was… he always looked on the bright side of life.”
The family sat shiva for Engel near Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv, where, according to The Times of Israel, his daughter Yuval is still being treated nearly two years after her release. It was also reported that the family will not be having a burial.
His family also honoured him by getting matching tattoos on their arms of his motto for life: “F***ed up, yet optimistic”.
Engel's family got matching tattoos to honour him (Image: X/ Bring Them Home Now)[Missing Credit]
A friend of Engel's, Idan Greenberg, wrote: “Every minute spent with [Engel] put a smile on all of those around him. Since October 7 we waited and hoped for his return… we will miss you always.”
And another friend named Benny took to Facebook to echo Greenberg's grief: "My dear friend, a funny man with a smile which never left his face, a talented photographer, motorbike rider, a friend of 30 years, and of late an Israeli hero.”
A statement from Kibbutz Nir Oz read: “[Engel] was a professional photojournalist for Haaretz and Israel Hayom, and photographed almost every event and social activity in Nir Oz.
“Even when he was restoring furniture in the kibbutz, it was possible to see how artistic he was, as he built impressive and unique woodworking pieces.”
It went on to say: "[He] had a deep connection to nature and animals, especially dogs, and he worked in the kibbutz chicken coop. He was also a talented and beloved volunteer at Magen David Adom as an emergency medical responder, and in the period before his death, he was close to completing his training as an ambulance driver, a role he aspired to fill in Nir Oz to help as many people in the area as possible and continue saving lives.”
