Tragedy Strikes: Hamas Terrorists Commit ‘Kinocide’ in October 7 Massacre
In a heart-wrenching turn of events, the peaceful village of Kibbutz Nahal Oz was plunged into darkness in the early hours of October 7, 2023. The Idan family, a loving and tight-knit unit, was torn apart by the unspeakable acts of Hamas terrorists who brazenly infiltrated their home. Maayan, the eldest daughter, met a tragic end in front of her helpless parents and siblings, while the father, Tzachi, was cruelly abducted. The horrors of this nightmarish ordeal were broadcast live on social media, forcing the nation to bear witness to the unimaginable pain endured by the Idan family.
Simultaneously, in Kibbutz Holit, young Rotem Matias found himself in a harrowing situation, hiding beneath his mother’s lifeless body as he texted his sisters the devastating news of their parents’ demise. The chilling message, “Mom and Dad are dead. Sorry,” sent shockwaves through the community, highlighting the raw brutality of the terrorist attack. In Kfar Aza, Roee Idan’s valiant attempt to shield his young daughter, Abigail, from harm ended in tragedy as his life was mercilessly taken in front of his traumatized children. The assailants did not spare his wife, Smadar, who also fell victim to their senseless violence. The surviving children, left to grapple with the aftermath, sought refuge in a closet, their reality forever altered by the loss of their parents and the uncertain fate of their abducted sister.
Uncovering the Horrors: The Rise of ‘Kinocide’
A groundbreaking report released on Tuesday shed light on the heinous acts committed during the October 7 massacre, co-authored by esteemed professionals Dr. Cochav Elkayam-Levy, Dr. Michal Gilad, and Dr. Ilya Rudyak. The term “kinocide” was introduced to encapsulate the deliberate targeting and destruction of family units, a stark departure from conventional warfare tactics. Dr. Elkayam-Levy poignantly labeled this atrocity as “a crime without a name for victims without a voice,” emphasizing the calculated efforts of the perpetrators to dismantle the very fabric of society: the family.
As the report delved deeper into the harrowing accounts of survivors, it became evident that the use of social media as a tool to amplify terror played a pivotal role in spreading the horrors of the attack globally. Merav Israeli-Amarant, CEO of the Civil Commission, underscored the insidious nature of this tactic, referring to it as the “terror filter.” The intentional dissemination of violent acts through social platforms aimed to incite and radicalize individuals, perpetuating a cycle of violence and fear.
International Call to Action: Recognizing Kinocide as a Distinct Crime
The collaboration between the Civil Commission and the Raoul Wallenberg Center for Human Rights sought to bring kinocide to the forefront of international legal discourse, advocating for its urgent recognition as a distinct crime. The comprehensive report, a culmination of extensive research and survivor testimonies, underscored the need for legal and social acknowledgment of kinocide as a grave violation of human rights.
Despite widespread support from international law experts and human rights activists, Dr. Elkayam-Levy voiced her apprehension regarding the international community’s response to this heinous crime. The stark reality of facing denial and indifference in the wake of such atrocities underscored the urgent need for a unified global coalition to address the systematic targeting of families and ensure justice for the victims of kinocide.
