Israeli scholars and international legal experts have identified a new war crime committed by Hamas during brutal attacks on southern Israel as “kinocide,” the deliberate weaponization or destruction of families. Research has revealed evidence of horrific crimes specifically targeting families in civilian communities in Israel on October 7, with much of the violence captured on film by the terrorists themselves. Scholars have been gathering traumatic material, especially against women and children, to build a case of war crimes committed by Hamas. The deliberate targeting of families in wartime is not a new phenomenon, but the unique aspect of the Hamas attack is the terrorists’ filming of their actions, providing clear evidence of their atrocities.
Elkayam Levy, an expert in international law, human rights, and gender, described the difficult process of documenting crimes against families on October 7. The videos filmed by Hamas reveal the terror inflicted on vulnerable women and children, including instances where parents are murdered in front of their children and families are separated. The systematic targeting of families during the attacks poses a new challenge for the international legal community as there are no specific definitions in place to capture this type of human suffering. Elkayam Levy’s team has been researching similar atrocities targeting families from conflicts worldwide, highlighting the need to address this issue within the framework of existing war crimes.
The attack by Hamas on October 7 led to the murder of over 1,200 people and the kidnapping of around 250 individuals to the Gaza Strip, with evidence emerging of extreme sexual violence and other atrocities. The terrorists’ filming of their actions adds a new dimension to the psychological terror of their crimes and provides researchers with clear evidence of their brutality. Stories like that of Sharon Aloni Cunio, who was kidnapped along with her family, illustrate the violent targeting of families in their homes. Elkayam Levy and her team have coined the term “kinocide” to describe the deliberate destruction of families as a new crime against humanity, emphasizing the need for recognition and accountability in international humanitarian law circles.
Professor Irwin Cotler, an expert in international law, has joined forces with Elkayam Levy to advocate for the recognition of “kinocide” in international law. They are exploring three possible steps to officially recognize this term, not only in relation to the Hamas attack but applicable to atrocities anywhere. These steps include raising public awareness of the concept, amending the Rome Statute to incorporate “kinocide” as another inhumane act, and potentially getting a country with universal jurisdiction law to amend its own statute to set a precedent in international law. Cotler believes that while amending the Rome Statute may be challenging, it is essential to hold perpetrators accountable for war crimes that specifically target the family unit.
The international community is grappling with the need to address the violence and atrocities committed by Hamas on October 7, particularly the deliberate targeting and destruction of families in southern Israel. As evidence continues to surface, scholars and legal experts are advocating for the recognition of “kinocide” as a new war crime in international humanitarian law. By raising public awareness and working to incorporate this term into existing legal frameworks, they hope to ensure accountability for those responsible for such horrific acts. The stories of families affected by the Hamas attacks serve as a powerful reminder of the urgent need to address these atrocities and seek justice for the victims.
