Final Farewell: Daughter Receives Father's Remains from Gaza War

Sun Oct 19 2025 19:15:51 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Mika Engel expresses heartbreak and relief on Instagram after the remains of her father, Ronen Engel, are returned to Israel. The tragic circumstances surrounding their return highlight the ongoing conflict and the personal toll it has taken on families.

Ronen Engel's remains were recently returned to Israel after he was killed during the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. His daughter expressed both sorrow and gratitude as she welcomes her father 'home' amidst the ongoing conflict. The situation raises concerns over the handling of deceased hostages, as many families await news of their loved ones.

The daughter of one of the latest dead hostages to be returned to Israel from Gaza has said her father is finally home. Mika Engel took to Instagram to express her mixed emotions following the return of her father Ronen Engel's remains.

It's not what we hoped, it's not what we wished for him, but it's finally here, she wrote, reflecting the immense grief of losing a parent under such tragic circumstances. Ronen Engel, a 54-year-old photographer, was one of two recently returned victims, alongside Thai farm worker Sonthaya Akrasri, who was also killed during the October attack by Hamas.

The Israeli government confirmed that Engel and Akrasri were the 11th and 12th deceased hostages returned under a ceasefire agreement after the escalated violence in the region which claimed over 68,000 lives in Gaza.

Families of hostages have been vocal about their outrage over the delays in returning loved ones, both living and deceased. Engel's wife, Karina Engel-Bart, and their teenage daughters had earlier been released during a truce, but the family has been torn apart since the attack. Engel was remembered fondly by those close to him, labeled as having hands of gold and the soul of an artist due to his contributions as both a photographer and a volunteer ambulance driver.

While the return of the deceased hostages marks a small step in reconciliation efforts, questions remain about the ongoing recovery of other bodies trapped beneath the rubble, an issue exacerbated by Israeli airstrikes on Gaza.

In response to the situation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has refused to reopen the Rafah border crossing until all remains are returned, emphasizing the pressing need for Hamas to fulfill its part of the ceasefire agreement. The IDF has stated their commitment to ensure that all hostages are accounted for, amidst international pressures and humanitarian concerns surrounding the conflict.