Israeli scholars and legal experts have identified a new type of war crime, “kinocide,” committed by Hamas during the Oct. 7 attacks in southern Israel, which targeted families. Many videos taken by the terrorists themselves show the horrific crimes committed against women and children, including extreme sexual violence. The evidence collected by researchers highlights the deliberate weaponization of families by Hamas during the attack, which resulted in over 1,200 deaths and 250 hostages taken to Gaza.
The targeting of families in wartime is not a new phenomenon, with examples seen in past conflicts such as the Rwandan genocide and the Holocaust. However, what sets apart the Hamas attack is the large number of terrorists who filmed their actions, providing clear evidence of their crimes. Videos were uploaded to social media, further terrorizing the victims and their families. New footage continues to surface, including an emergency call from a woman whose family was kidnapped by Hamas and taken to Gaza. Families were violently attacked in their homes, with parents murdered in front of children and families separated, leaving fathers behind in captivity.
Israeli authorities and international legal experts are working to have “kinocide” recognized as a war crime in international humanitarian law circles. This term refers to the intentional targeting and destruction of families, as seen in the Hamas attack. Steps to achieve recognition for this term include raising public awareness, amending the Rome Statute to include “kinocide” as an inhumane act, and possibly getting a country with universal jurisdiction law to amend its statutes. The goal is to hold perpetrators accountable for crimes committed against families during wartime, ensuring justice for the victims and their loved ones.
The evidence collected by researchers and scholars points to a systematic “weaponization of the family unit” by Hamas during the Oct. 7 attacks, leading to the creation of the term “kinocide.” Families were specifically targeted, with many being violently attacked in their homes, resulting in deaths and kidnappings. The psychological terror inflicted on victims and their families was heightened by the terrorists filming their actions and broadcasting them on social media. As more footage emerges, the need to address war crimes that target families becomes increasingly urgent.
International legal experts such as Professor Irwin Cotler are working to have “kinocide” officially recognized as a war crime, not only in relation to the Hamas attack but also in other conflicts worldwide. Steps to achieve this recognition include raising awareness of the term, amending the Rome Statute, and potentially amending national statutes to include “kinocide” as a prosecutable offense. Despite challenges in amending existing treaties and statutes, efforts are being made to ensure accountability for those who commit atrocities against families during wartime, setting a precedent in international humanitarian law.
The documentation of evidence and testimonies from survivors further illustrates the atrocities committed by Hamas during the Oct. 7 attacks in southern Israel. Families were terrorized, with women and children being particularly vulnerable to violence and abuse. The systematic targeting of families by the terrorists represents a new form of war crime, which requires recognition and accountability at the international level. By working to define and prosecute “kinocide,” legal experts aim to prevent such atrocities from occurring in the future and ensure justice for the victims and their families.
