Ronen Tomy Engel z”l

EMT, Magen David Adom Negev Region Volunteer

22 Tishrei 5784

2023-10-07

Murdered at age 54

Ronen began his journey with Magen David Adom about two years before he was murdered, driven by great dedication and a deep desire to help people and save lives.

He was a member of Magen David Adom’s Immediate Response Unit while simultaneously advancing his training as an ambulance driver. Ronen invested many hours in studying and deepening his professional knowledge as a volunteer, and at the time of his murder, he was nearing the completion of his ambulance driver certification.

Alongside his volunteering at Magen David Adom, Ronen was a water technician and a professional photographer, a motorcycle enthusiast, and a family man. About 15 years before October 7th, he moved with his wife, Karina, to Kibbutz Nir Oz, which became their home.

Kibbutz members described him as an “incurable optimist,” mischievous, with a great sense of humor and a zest for life.

On the morning of October 7th, he left his home with his personal first responder kit provided by Magen David Adom to assist and save lives. He was murdered, and his body was abducted to the Gaza Strip.

His wife, Karina, and his daughters, Mika and Yuval, were also abducted and were released in the hostage deal in November 2023.

Ronen’s body was returned to Israel only in October 2025.

He was laid to rest at the Kibbutz Nir Oz cemetery. He is survived by his wife, three children, and a brother.

A Magen David Adom ambulance bearing his name was dedicated in his memory.

May his memory be a blessing.

Dedications and Memories

10/04/2026

Ronen was an optimist who always smiled, no matter what – a true friend. And the motto he chose to live his life by:
always look on the bright side of life

Tom, Mika, Yuval and Karina
Ronen's children and partner