The Kfar Aza Massacre

Kfar Aza, a kibbutz of over 700 residents located approximately 3 km from the Gaza Strip, was one of several sites attacked by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, sparking the Israel-Gaza war, which has seen tens of thousands injured, killed, and displaced. Situated within Israel's internationally recognized borders and not considered a settlement under international law, prior to Oct. 7, Kfar Aza was generally perceived as safe, despite its proximity to Gaza.

The kibbutz had various security measures, including a volunteer armed guard composed of kibbutz members with military training. These local rapid response teams were responsible for initial security responses in Kfar Aza and other communities in southern Israel. Residents also had access to safe rooms.

Furthermore, Israel maintained a complex border security system along the Gaza Strip, including a 59-kilometer security barrier, watchtowers, military equipment, and the Iron Dome air defense system.

Strict control over Gaza's borders was imposed through physical barriers, patrols, and restrictions on movement. Despite these measures, approximately 17K-18.5K Palestinians from Gaza had permits to work in Israel.

In the lead-up to Oct. 7, tensions escalated due to increased settler violence, clashes at religious sites, and border incidents. Multiple intelligence reports and warnings preceded the Oct.7, 2023 attack.

Over a year before, Israeli intelligence reportedly obtained Hamas' detailed invasion plan, codenamed "Jericho Wall." Suspicious activities near Gaza were observed, and warnings were issued by various sources, including an Israeli signals intelligence unit member and Egypt.

The head of AMAN's "Devil's Advocate" unit issued four warnings in the three weeks before Oct. 7. Despite these numerous warnings and indicators, Israeli intelligence largely dismissed them as theoretical or training exercises rather than feasible threats. The warnings were often not passed on to top decision-makers or were not taken seriously.

The Israeli military's delayed response to the attack on Kfar Aza, with it taking hours for soldiers to arrive, further highlighted the intelligence and operational failures. Investigations into these events were initiated but later suspended by Israel's high court, and the government has postponed full accountability measures until after the war.

The attack on Kfar Aza began on Oct. 7, 2023, at approximately 7:00 am local time, as part of a larger surprise assault launched by Hamas from Gaza. The sequence of events started with initial rocket attacks from Gaza at 6:30 am, followed by ground incursions into various Israeli communities near the Gaza border.

Approximately 50-70 Hamas militants initially breached the fence of the Kfar Aza kibbutz from the west. As the attack progressed, the number of militants involved increased, with reports suggesting "waves" of attackers crossing the fence. The Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) claimed involvement, with their National Resistance Brigades reportedly fighting alongside Hamas.

The militants used multiple means to enter the kibbutz, including explosives, tractors, and ramps to break through the border fence. They utilized various modes of transportation such as motorcycles, pickup trucks, powered paragliders, and boats.

The attackers had detailed maps and plans of the kibbutz — obtained through systematic intelligence gathering — and the assault tactics included a coordinated, room-by-room sweep of apartments and houses, intentionally setting fires to flush out civilians from safe rooms, and using body cameras to record the attack. The militants also engaged in hostage-taking, targeting women, children, and the elderly.

The Israeli military took two and a half days to fully regain control of Kfar Aza. The attack resulted in significant casualties, with estimates ranging from at least 62 confirmed deaths to potentially 79 fatalities. Among the victims was a 15-year-old, with 19 residents taken hostage.

Hamas meticulously planned the Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Kfar Aza and surrounding areas for at least a year, according to Hamas documents left behind after the attack. The Qassam Brigades, Hamas' military wing, had been developing plans to storm communities near the Gaza Strip since before 2014.

Preparation involved detailed tactical planning, including using bulldozers to widen border fence gaps. Hamas allocated an estimated $100K for operation materials, and the attack strategy involved launching 5K rockets combined with ground infiltration. The group conducted extensive "Strong Pillar" military drills between 2020 and 2023, simulating various aspects of the attack and creating a simulated Israeli settlement in Gaza for training.

Hamas provided several reasons for the attack, including framing it as Palestinian resistance, citing "international silence on Palestinian issues," and claiming it was a response to Israeli violence. The group also said it sought to secure the release of Palestinian prisoners by taking Israeli hostages.

The attack's planning was highly secretive, with only a small number of Qassam Brigades leaders involved. Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar reportedly kept plans confidential, with it being possible that the group’s external leadership was unaware of the attack’s planning. The US Justice Department has charged six senior Hamas leaders for their alleged roles in planning and supporting the attacks.

Foreign support played a significant role in the attack on Kfar Aza, with Iran being a primary backer of Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups. Iran provided financial aid, weapons, training, and organizational support, including advanced arms such as Russian-made Kornet anti-tank missiles, enhancing Hamas' operational capabilities. However, the extent of Iran's direct involvement in planning or approving the Oct. 7 attack remains debated, with Iran’s leadership denying direct participation.

Hamas leaders have maintained close ties with Iran, and former Hamas Politburo leader Ismail Haniyeh stated in 2022 that Hamas received $70M annually from Iran. The question of whether other Iranian-backed militant groups like Hezbollah in Lebanon or the Houthis in Yemen had prior knowledge of Hamas' plans also remains uncertain. The prevailing theory suggests that decisions about opening a second front against Israel through Hezbollah would be made in Tehran, not Beirut. Hossein Amir-Abdollahian suggested potential "preemptive action" against Israel through these groups, though both Iran and Hezbollah have denied involvement in the Oct. 7 attack. Hamas has also denied claims that the attack was retaliation for Qassem Soleimani's killing in 2020.

While Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Qods Force have significantly supported Hamas' military capabilities, evidence of their direct role in training for the Oct. 7 attack is limited and controversial. Although Hamas fighters demonstrated well-trained capabilities during the attack, suggesting extensive preparation — and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh's presence in Tehran with other members of Iran's “axis of resistance” indicates potential coordination among these groups, which could include shared training — Iran denies providing specialized training before the Oct. 7 attack. Documents discovered by Israeli forces in Gaza provide insights into Hamas operations but don’t directly address evidence of training by other Iranian-backed militant groups.

Initial reports about the Kfar Aza attack on Oct. 7, 2023, were marked by a mix of eyewitness accounts and unverified claims, leading to the spread of conflicting information. Survivors described sudden violence, prolonged terror, and systematic attacks on civilians. Physical evidence collected included bodies with bound hands, signs of burning, and extensive property damage. However, some initial claims, particularly those regarding violence against children and babies, were eventually debunked.

The widely circulated claim of "40 beheaded babies," for instance, originated from two unverified reports by an i24 News reporter. This claim spread rapidly on social media, amplified by celebrities and official accounts. Israeli officials initially made allegations of beheaded babies, with some US officials appearing to confirm them. US Pres. Joe Biden and other high-level officials repeated the claim, contributing to its widespread dissemination. The youngest victim in Kfar Aza was 14-year-old Yiftach Kutz, according to a list of Oct. 7 victims compiled by the Israeli outlet Haaretz. No babies or infants were on the list.

Subsequent investigations, including CNN's visit to Kfar Aza, found no evidence supporting the specific claim of 40 beheaded babies. The National Center for Forensic Medicine reported many bodies found without heads, though it was difficult to determine if decapitation occurred before or after death. Video footage screened for journalists showed a fighter beheading an adult and corpses of decapitated soldiers but did not confirm infant beheadings.

Israeli officials faced challenges addressing inconsistencies in their statements. To address these, they invited journalists to examine victims' remains and provided media access to attack sites. However, these efforts were complicated by controversial statements from some officials and instances of sharing false or misleading content.

The spread of misinformation was fueled by several factors, including the emotional nature of the claims, the broader context of the conflict, and changes to social media verification processes. The pressure on journalists to report quickly during crises and the information vacuum in the aftermath of the attack also contributed to the circulation of unverified information.

International investigations, particularly those conducted by the UN, nevertheless found indications that members of Hamas' military wing and other Palestinian armed groups committed war crimes, including murder, intentionally attacking civilians, and gender-based violence in several locations in southern Israel, including Kfar Aza. First responders interviewed by the UN claimed that female victims were found undressed and shot, possibly indicating sexual violence.

Another controversial aspect of the Oct. 7 attack has been Israel's alleged use of the Hannibal Directive. The Hannibal Directive, established in 1986, was an Israeli military protocol designed to prevent soldier abductions, even at the risk of the captured soldier's life. It allowed for extreme measures, including heavy firepower and unrestricted firing on potential escape routes. While the Israeli military denied permitting the killing of their own troops, many soldiers understood it as such. The policy's legality was questioned under international law, and its use led to accusations of war crimes. Israel reportedly suspended the Hannibal Directive in 2016 in favor of new protocols balancing kidnapping prevention with protecting lives.

During the Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel, conflicting reports emerged about the directive's implementation. Some sources claimed the Israeli military ordered its use to prevent Hamas from taking soldiers captive, while others stated that the Israeli government had not confirmed its implementation. A UN report suggested that the directive resulted in the killing of up to 14 Israeli civilians in two instances during the Oct. 7 attack. Former Israeli Air Force officer Colonel Nof Erez, meanwhile, described the situation as "a mass Hannibal." The Israeli military examined about 70 vehicles hit by fire from helicopters, drones, or tanks on their way to Gaza, with all occupants reportedly killed in some cases. At Kibbutz Be'eri, an incident resulted in the death of 13 hostages when the IDF attacked a house.

The Israeli army spokesperson stated that internal investigations of what transpired on Oct. 7 have begun. Human Rights Watch reported that only a minority of civilian deaths resulted from fighting between Israeli armed forces and Palestinian armed groups. At the Nova music festival, there were unconfirmed reports of Israeli helicopters potentially hitting festival participants.

The international reaction to the Oct. 7 attack, including the Kfar Aza massacre, was multifaceted. Many Western nations, including the US, strongly condemned the attack as an act of terrorism. US Pres. Joe Biden and Sec. of State Antony Blinken publicly denounced the violence, and on Oct. 9, 2023, France, Germany, Italy, the UK, and the US issued a joint statement condemning the attack. Meanwhile, high-profile figures, such as US Senator Lindsey Graham, visited Kfar Aza in a show of support, and the US House of Representatives passed legislation to block the entry of individuals associated with the attacks.

Although the UN and various aid organizations acknowledged and reported on the deaths of children in the Oct. 7 attack, the UN faced criticism for its perceived inadequate response to the violence, particularly against women.

In contrast, countries such as Iran, Iraq, and Syria expressed support for the Hamas attack, framing it as legitimate resistance against Israeli occupation. The Arab Group and Egypt called for an immediate cease-fire and condemned civilian casualties in Gaza. Egypt specifically declared it would not accept the forced displacement of Palestinians. Countries providing arms to Palestinian armed groups were urged to suspend transfers.

South Africa's response was controversial, with criticism directed at its diplomatic engagements with Hamas and other Palestinian groups. Amnesty International urged the International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor to expedite investigations into alleged crimes by all parties involved in the conflict. Meanwhile, various international media outlets have reported on and investigated claims related to the attacks, contributing to global awareness and ongoing discussions about the event and its aftermath.

The Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Kfar Aza resulted in extensive property damage and displacement. The kibbutz was described as "totally burnt" with houses damaged, ransacked, and some reduced to rubble. As of October 2024, only 50 of Kfar Aza's 1K residents had returned.

To address immediate housing needs, 120 temporary houses were constructed in Kibbutz Ruhama following the attacks. Many survivors were relocated to Hotel Shefayim, with the government covering accommodation costs. The psychological impact on survivors and the broader community has also been severe, with studies showing substantial increases in probable PTSD and depression rates. Children and adults may also be experiencing acute trauma responses, such as anxiety, fear, and insomnia.

The attacks have also significantly impacted Israeli public opinion, with opposition to a Palestinian state increasing from 69% to 79%. Politically, the events have exposed vulnerabilities in Israel's security apparatus and sparked internal disagreements within the governing coalition. The incident revealed critical vulnerabilities and lessons for preventing future attacks, including the need to improve intelligence gathering, border security, rapid response capabilities, and civilian protection.

Israel has implemented immediate and long-term changes to its security protocols and military readiness, including declaring a state of emergency, deploying additional forces, and evacuating civilians from border areas. Long-term changes are expected to include strengthening defensive measures, increasing troop deployments, and expanding reserve forces.

The Oct. 7 attack on Israel and the subsequent war have significantly impacted the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict and regional stability. The conflict — which by October 2024 had become the longest and deadliest war between Israelis and Arabs since the First Arab-Israeli War in 1948 — has expanded beyond Gaza, with Israel engaging in hostilities with Iran and its allies in Lebanon, Yemen, Syria, and Iraq. Israeli-Palestinian relations have deteriorated, with hopes for peace diminishing in the wake of the attack. Israel reassessed its approach to regional threats, focusing more on capabilities rather than assumed intentions. The conflict resulted in massive casualties and large-scale displacement on both sides.

The attack and subsequent war also constrained attempts at normalizing relations between Israel and Arab states. Long-term stability challenges include the potential for a continued insurgency and the risk of further escalation across multiple fronts. In addition to Hezbollah and the Houthis' intervention in the war, Iran directly attacked Israel twice with missiles, and Israel conducted major operations in Lebanon, including the assassination of Hezbollah's leader.