Yuval Engel

Freed November 27, 2023

Yuval Engel's experience during the Hamas attack on Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7 encapsulates the profound impact of conflict on young lives. At just 11 years old, Yuval, alongside her family, faced the terrifying onslaught of terrorism firsthand. The Engel family, including Yuval's parents, Ronen and Karina, and her older sister, Mika, sought refuge in their sealed room, a temporary haven amidst the chaos outside.

A final phone message that day between Yuval's mother, Karina, and her aunt with the words, "Paula, they’re here, they’re here," marked the stark realization of the imminent threat. This moment was a precursor to the harrowing ordeal that would follow, leading to the kidnapping of Yuval, her sister, and her mother by Hamas terrorists.

The Engel family's captivity, particularly for a young child like Yuval, was marked by uncertainty and fear. The eventual release of Yuval, her sister Mika, and their mother Karina on November 27 as part of a temporary ceasefire deal brought a bittersweet end to their captivity as the subsequent confirmation of their father Ronen's death by the IDF on December 1 added a profound layer of grief to their already traumatic experience.