Kibbutz Experience Sheds Light on the Depths of Human Suffering

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Flies Will Linger in Kfar Aza, a Reminder of the Horrific Massacre

The aftermath of a massacre is a haunting sight. The remnants of death linger, accompanied by the distinct smell that conjures up images of crematoriums and slaughterhouses. I have witnessed the aftermath of several massacres throughout my career, from Bucha to Baghdad, but nothing quite prepared me for what I encountered in Kfar Aza, a peaceful kibbutz in southern Israel.

Kfar Aza, with its picturesque oasis of palm trees, colorful flowers, and a gentle breeze, was a stark contrast to the horrors that unfolded within its walls. Even months after the incident on October 7, the smell of death still permeated the air, particularly inside the unassuming houses where innocent civilians had been brutally slain, many of them in their sleep. As I walked through the kibbutz, I noticed markings on the houses, indicating that they had been cleared. But there were also symbols, like the Target logo, denoting that a civilian body still lay inside. These symbols were scattered throughout the village, a chilling reminder of the massacre that had taken place.

Kfar Aza was not a case of civilians caught in the crossfire. It was a pre-planned and pre-meditated slaughter of an entire village. The meticulous planning and execution of the attack were evident. The first Hamas terrorists arrived by paraglider, swiftly followed by reinforcements who sealed off the village’s perimeter. Snipers took up positions on high ground to cut off any support for the villagers. Another group of fighters ambushed key roads to prevent outside military assistance. They established a defensive perimeter using mines and brought medical supplies to tend to their wounded. They even packed their own food, consisting mainly of dates and figs.

Once the village was isolated, the terrorists systematically went from house to house, killing, mutilating, and kidnapping. They were armed with familiar weapons of asymmetric warfare, such as AK-47s, rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), and various types of grenades. They also had specially designed incendiary grenades to set houses on fire. But what was particularly chilling were the large butcher knives they left behind.

Many of the terrorists were reportedly under the influence of captagon, a drug similar to amphetamines with hallucinogenic effects. Each death squad had its own guidebook, instructing them on how to cause maximum destruction. The randomness of their evil acts was part of their sickening strategy. As I walked through the village, I encountered scenes of unimaginable horror – children’s rooms riddled with bullets, blood-soaked LEGOs, and entire families slaughtered and burned while clutching each other. The safe rooms, originally intended as bomb shelters, became the scenes of some of the most heinous acts. Parents desperately tried to protect their children, holding the doors shut as terrorists tried to break in. Bullets pierced the walls, and grenades filled the air with smoke. Life was extinguished within those walls.

The killing continued for hours, and eventually, non-Hamas Gazans arrived to scavenge the houses for loot, callously stepping over the dead. Some even spirited Israelis back into Gaza. The last house I entered belonged to a young couple who were about to be married. Instead, I was greeted by flies, blood stains, and the stench of death. The ceiling was pockmarked with holes from a terrorist grenade.

As I left the house, I was confronted by the grieving parents of one of the victims. I was at a loss for words. What could I possibly say to ease their unimaginable pain? All I could manage was a heartfelt apology and a hand over my heart. Moments later, the father approached me again, pleading with me not to let people forget what had happened.

In today’s world, where shocking events are quickly overshadowed by the next news cycle, it is easy to become apathetic. But the horrors I witnessed in Kfar Aza must not be forgotten. The flies that continue to hover over the remnants of that massacre are a constant reminder of the evil that took place. Let us not succumb to apathy, but instead, remember the lives lost and strive for a world free from such atrocities.