Karina Engel-Bart

The Engel family's ordeal began on the morning of October 7, when Hamas terrorists attacked Kibbutz Nir Oz, resulting in Ronen, Karina, Mika, and Yuval Engel being reported missing. During the initial hours of the assault, Karina was on a call with her sister Paula, abruptly ending the conversation as the attackers approached, leading to a complete loss of communication. Ronen had armed himself and gone to defend the kibbutz.

Subsequent efforts to understand the family's fate revealed a chilling post on Ronen's Facebook page, a video by a Hamas terrorist, which heightened the family's anxiety and uncertainty. Despite these ominous signs, the family held onto hope, buoyed by their belief in Ronen's resilience and optimism.

In a significant development, Karina, along with her daughters Mika and Yuval, were released on November 27. This release brought a mix of relief and continued anguish, as it was confirmed on December 1 by the IDF that Ronen had been killed, with his body still being held in Gaza.

Karina, a cancer survivor, and her daughters faced immense challenges during their captivity, with Yuval needing a wheelchair upon release, though she later regained her ability to walk.