In 2024, Samaritan’s Purse Will Donate an Ambulance in Memory of Ronen Engel
Kibbutz Nir Oz (October 27, 2025) – The body of Ronen Engel, a volunteer EMT with Magen David Adom (MDA), was finally laid to rest at Kibbutz Nir Oz on Tuesday, October 21.
Engel lost his life on October 7, 2023, outside his home while attempting to protect his family and the kibbutz. His body was taken by Hamas to Gaza, and it was returned to Israel on Saturday, October 18, over two years later.
Samaritan’s Purse had previously donated 21 ambulances to Magen David Adom in January 2024, honoring fallen healthcare workers, including a life support ambulance in memory of Engel. During a ceremony at the National Library of Israel, President and CEO Franklin Graham remarked, “We are honored to dedicate these ambulances today, and we are grateful for this opportunity to help MDA continue its heroic and extraordinary work.”
Engel was a dedicated volunteer paramedic for MDA, working to assist others. Just days before his death, he was finishing his training to become an MDA ambulance driver.
On the morning of October 7, Engel left his family safe in a room, took his gun and medical bag, and headed out to help those in need. Unfortunately, he was unable to navigate the garden. Later, a bag with essential medical supplies and his name was found in the kibbutz following his abduction.
Survived by his wife Karina, two daughters, a son, and a brother, Engel’s family faced their own ordeal. Karina and their daughters, Mika and Yuval, were also captured that tragic day but were released a month later in a hostage exchange.
Eli Bin, executive director of MDA, said, “Ronen was a beloved, skilled, and dedicated volunteer who saved lives and supported those around him. Even that day, he left as an MDA responder, intending to confront terrorists and help others, but he perished in the line of duty. With his return to Israel, we extend our deepest sympathies to his family. His life-saving efforts will always be remembered.”
Photo information: Karina Engel, wife of Ronen Engel, attaches a yellow ribbon to Franklin Graham during a ceremony for the new bulletproof ambulance, donated by Harvest Christian Fellowship to MDA at the Tower of David in Jerusalem on June 1, 2025.
Magen David Adom serves as Israel’s emergency services network, excelling in large-scale emergency responses and EMS technology, treating over 1 million people annually. The organization also collects, tests, and distributes blood for hospitals across Israel and responds to global disasters.
Israeli EMT Honored by Franklin Graham is Finally Laid to Rest – Guest Commentary
In 2024, Samaritan’s Purse Will Donate an Ambulance in Memory of Ronen Engel
Kibbutz Nir Oz (October 27, 2025) – The body of Ronen Engel, a volunteer EMT with Magen David Adom (MDA), was finally laid to rest at Kibbutz Nir Oz on Tuesday, October 21.
Engel lost his life on October 7, 2023, outside his home while attempting to protect his family and the kibbutz. His body was taken by Hamas to Gaza, and it was returned to Israel on Saturday, October 18, over two years later.
Samaritan’s Purse had previously donated 21 ambulances to Magen David Adom in January 2024, honoring fallen healthcare workers, including a life support ambulance in memory of Engel. During a ceremony at the National Library of Israel, President and CEO Franklin Graham remarked, “We are honored to dedicate these ambulances today, and we are grateful for this opportunity to help MDA continue its heroic and extraordinary work.”
Engel was a dedicated volunteer paramedic for MDA, working to assist others. Just days before his death, he was finishing his training to become an MDA ambulance driver.
On the morning of October 7, Engel left his family safe in a room, took his gun and medical bag, and headed out to help those in need. Unfortunately, he was unable to navigate the garden. Later, a bag with essential medical supplies and his name was found in the kibbutz following his abduction.
Survived by his wife Karina, two daughters, a son, and a brother, Engel’s family faced their own ordeal. Karina and their daughters, Mika and Yuval, were also captured that tragic day but were released a month later in a hostage exchange.
Eli Bin, executive director of MDA, said, “Ronen was a beloved, skilled, and dedicated volunteer who saved lives and supported those around him. Even that day, he left as an MDA responder, intending to confront terrorists and help others, but he perished in the line of duty. With his return to Israel, we extend our deepest sympathies to his family. His life-saving efforts will always be remembered.”
Photo information: Karina Engel, wife of Ronen Engel, attaches a yellow ribbon to Franklin Graham during a ceremony for the new bulletproof ambulance, donated by Harvest Christian Fellowship to MDA at the Tower of David in Jerusalem on June 1, 2025.
Magen David Adom serves as Israel’s emergency services network, excelling in large-scale emergency responses and EMS technology, treating over 1 million people annually. The organization also collects, tests, and distributes blood for hospitals across Israel and responds to global disasters.
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