Report exposes Hamas terrorist crimes against families during Oct. 7 massacre, calls new category ‘kinocide’

A tragic event unfolded in the early hours of October 7, 2023, when Hamas terrorists infiltrated the home of the Idan family in Kibbutz Nahal Oz. The family’s eldest daughter, Maayan, was brutally murdered in front of her parents and siblings, and their father, Tzachi, was abducted. The horrific scene was broadcast live on social media, exposing the nation to their unimaginable suffering.

Simultaneously, in Kibbutz Holit, 16-year-old Rotem Matias found himself hiding under his mother’s lifeless body, sending a heartbreaking text to his sisters informing them of their parents’ death. In Kfar Aza, Roee Idan was killed while shielding his 3-year-old daughter, Abigail, from the violence. His wife, Smadar, was also shot before their children’s eyes, leaving them traumatized and unsure of their younger sister’s fate, who was taken into Gaza.

These are just a few of the harrowing stories documented in a recent report released by Dr. Cochav Elkayam-Levy and her team. The report introduces the term “kinocide” to describe the deliberate targeting and destruction of family units during the attack, a heinous act that transcends traditional warfare.

As the research delved deeper into the atrocities, it became evident that similar tactics have been employed in conflicts worldwide, from Argentina to Syria. Dr. Elkayam-Levy and her colleagues collaborated with the Raoul Wallenberg Center for Human Rights to shed light on these patterns of abuse and advocate for the recognition of kinocide as a distinct crime.

The report, based on extensive research, survivor interviews, and site visits, aims to bring kinocide into international legal discourse and emphasize the urgent need for its recognition. Despite widespread endorsement from international law experts and human rights activists, Dr. Elkayam-Levy expressed concerns about the international community’s response to these crimes.

“We need an international coalition to address the systematic targeting of families,” she emphasized. “The current legal frameworks are inadequate in protecting families from such brutal attacks.” The report’s findings underscore the moral and legal imperative to combat these atrocities and ensure justice for the victims.

As the world grapples with the aftermath of the October 7 attacks, it is crucial to acknowledge and confront the horrors of kinocide. By standing together and demanding accountability for these crimes, we can work towards a future where such atrocities are never repeated.