Tragic Stories Emerge from Recent Atrocities in Israel
In the early hours of October 7, 2023, the Idan family from Kibbutz Nahal Oz experienced unimaginable horror as Hamas terrorists broke into their home. As they scrambled to reach their safe room, the attackers sadly killed their eldest daughter, Maayan, in front of her parents and siblings, later abducting the father, Tzachi. This devastating incident was streamed live on social media, forcing the nation to witness the family’s final moments.
Meanwhile, in Kibbutz Holit, 16-year-old Rotem Matias hid beneath his mother’s lifeless body, sending his sisters a heartbreaking message: "Mom and Dad are dead. Sorry."
In Kfar Aza, Roee Idan was shot while holding his 3-year-old daughter, Abigail, in a traumatic scene that unfolded before his other children’s eyes. Their mother, Smadar, was also shot. Afterward, the children had no choice but to hide in a closet with their mother’s body, anxiously awaiting news of their younger sibling, who was later taken into Gaza.
According to a recent report by Dr. Cochav Elkayam-Levy, founder of the Civil Commission on October 7th Crimes Against Women and Children, and her colleagues, the events of that day involved shocking acts, including extreme sexual violence and rape, carried out systematically by Hamas. The report introduces the concept of "kinocide," referring to the targeted destruction of families during these attacks, a new and alarming form of assault that extends beyond traditional warfare.
Dr. Elkayam-Levy described this brutal act as "a crime without a name for victims without a voice," emphasizing that the perpetrators intended not just to kill but to obliterate the family unit—essential to human society. She noted that witnessing the atrocities involving families was particularly haunting. The attackers celebrated their actions while broadcasting them on social media, amplifying the terror experienced by victims and their families around the globe.
Merav Israeli-Amarant, CEO of the Civil Commission, noted that social media played a key role in propagating the terror, fostering a kind of "terror theater" intended to incite further violence. This tactic was highlighted in discussions surrounding how the broadcasts encouraged other acts of violence worldwide.
Dr. Elkayam-Levy and her team have drawn parallels between the tactics used in these events and similar abusive patterns observed in conflicts across countries like Argentina, Iraq, Syria, and Myanmar. She reflects on the shared pain of survivors, stating this kind of violence has occurred before but never been appropriately named or acknowledged.
In collaboration with the Raoul Wallenberg Center for Human Rights, the commission aims to establish kinocide as a distinct and recognizable crime in international law. Their report synthesizes survivor interviews, site investigations, and a thorough evidence review, making it clear that immediate legal recognition of kinocide is critical.
Professor Irwin Cotler, a prominent international human rights advocate, highlighted the urgent need for an international coalition to address the systematic targeting of families, indicating that existing international legal structures have failed to protect survivors of the October 7 attacks.
Elkayam-Levy expressed her concerns regarding the international community’s response and the need for better frameworks to protect families in such violent contexts. Despite endorsements from many experts and activists, she pointed out that significant denial and negligence from key figures in international human rights circles remain a troubling trend.
As global attention continues to focus on these tragic events, the report aims to shed light on the urgent need for collective action and accountability in the face of such horrific violence.
