Magen David Adom held a ceremony to mark one year since the Hamas terrorists invaded and attacked communities in southern Israel near Gaza killing 1,200 people, injuring thousands, and abducting more than 250 people.

The fathers of MDA volunteers Shir Biton and Yarin Marie Peled, who died this year in their military service, recited Yizkor and Kaddish memorial prayers.

Karina Engel, wife of Ronen Tommy Engel, of blessed memory, participated in an interview in which she described the horrific events her family went through on October 7.

As soon as the incessant sirens began blaring that morning, Ronen grabbed his first aid bag and his gun and left their home to treat the wounded as a MDA volunteer. He fought with terrorists in his family’s backyard, was murdered, and his body was abducted to Gaza.

While Ronen was fighting and was murdered, Karina locked herself and her daughters in their home’s safe room. The three of them were kidnapped from their home and held in Gaza. The three were eventually released in November; Ronen’s body remains in Gaza.

In addition to the interview with Engel, the event featured remarks by Gilad Erdan, world MDA president, and Eli Bin, director-general of MDA. It was hosted by MDA volunteer Miri Bohadna.

“We remember how Magen David Adom teams in the field, at the stations, and in the blood services, were a beacon of hope for those people whose world was destroyed on that bitter day,” remarked Eli Bin, MDA director-general. “These memories are unequivocal testimony to the heroism of the fighters for life, MDA teams who roamed the valley of the shadow of death and bravely made healing paths for the wounded.”