Father 'Finally Home', Says Daughter of Dead Hostage Returned to Israel

The emotional toll of the ongoing conflict in the region was poignantly illustrated this past weekend as the remains of Ronen Engel, a 54-year-old photographer, were returned to Israel from Gaza. Engel’s daughter, Mika, expressed her grief and relief on Instagram, stating, “It’s not what we hoped, it’s not what we wished for him, but it’s finally here.” This heartfelt message reflects the complex emotions families endure in the wake of tragedy.

Engel was one of two deceased hostages whose remains were returned as part of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. He, along with 30-year-old Sonthaya Akrasri, a Thai agricultural worker, was killed during the initial attack on October 7, 2023. Their return marks a grim milestone, as they are the 11th and 12th dead hostages to be repatriated under the terms of the ceasefire, which aimed to secure the release of both living and deceased captives.

The anguish of Engel’s family is compounded by the fact that his wife, Karina Engel-Bart, and their teenage daughters were also taken hostage during the same incident but were released in November 2023 during a truce. The following month, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed Engel’s death in captivity, a revelation that has left his family grappling with their loss.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum paid tribute to Engel, describing him as a man with “hands of gold and the soul of an artist.” He was not only a talented photographer but also a volunteer ambulance driver for Magen David Adom, Israel’s emergency service. His legacy is further complicated by the tragic circumstances of his death.

Sonthaya Akrasri’s story is similarly heartbreaking. A father to a seven-year-old daughter, he had aspirations of returning to Thailand to start his own farm after working in Israel. His death, confirmed by Thailand’s foreign ministry in May 2024, underscores the broader human cost of the conflict, affecting not just Israeli families but also those from other nations caught in the crossfire.

The return of these remains has sparked outrage in Israel, as many have expressed frustration over the delays in repatriating all deceased hostages. The ceasefire agreement was expected to facilitate the return of all hostages, living and dead, but the process has been hampered by claims from Hamas that they are struggling to locate bodies amidst the extensive destruction in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office has responded by keeping the Rafah border crossing closed, a vital route for Palestinians needing medical assistance and for others seeking to leave or return.

The situation on the ground remains dire, with the IDF emphasizing the need for Hamas to fulfill its obligations under the ceasefire. Meanwhile, U.S. officials have downplayed concerns regarding the delays, suggesting that the terms of the agreement may have anticipated such challenges.

As the humanitarian crisis deepens in Gaza, with many residents sifting through rubble in search of loved ones and homes, the complexities of the ceasefire negotiations continue to unfold. The emotional stories of individuals like Ronen Engel and Sonthaya Akrasri serve as poignant reminders of the human cost of conflict, transcending borders and nationalities.