For Hamas, Cruelty Was the Point

Kfar Aza, Israel — Located less than two miles from the Gaza border lies Kibbutz Kfar Aza, a serene community of kibbutzniks founded in the 1930s by Moroccan and Egyptian Jews fleeing persecution. Since its founding, the kibbutz has come to be known for its fostering of cutting-edge environmental initiatives, as well as its general desire to foster peaceful relations with its Gazan neighbors.

But on the day I visited, it was something entirely different. As the community closest to the Gaza border, it was the first to be infiltrated by Hamas terrorists and Palestinian civilians on October 7 (through three different entrances, to be exact). The sweet, joyful village, full of humble and cozy homes, was ravaged when more than 100 rabid murderers intent on killing Jews scaled the two fences separating the community from Gaza. Of the community’s 960 residents, 66 were murdered, 18 were kidnapped, and one remains unaccounted for.

EA

About the Author

Erielle Azerrad

Erielle Azerrad serves as deputy chief counsel to Senator Ted Cruz and is a senior fellow at the Center for the Middle East and International Law at George Mason University. She practiced anti-terrorism litigation for several years prior. The thoughts presented are her own and not necessarily representative of her office.

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Kfar Aza, Israel — Located less than two miles from the Gaza border lies Kibbutz Kfar Aza, a serene community of kibbutzniks founded in the 1930s by Moroccan and Egyptian Jews fleeing persecution. Since its founding, the kibbutz has come to be known for its fostering of cutting-edge environmental initiatives, as well as its general desire to foster peaceful relations with its Gazan neighbors.

But on the day I visited, it was something entirely different. As the community closest to the Gaza border, it was the first to be infiltrated by Hamas terrorists and Palestinian civilians on October 7 (through three different entrances, to be exact). The sweet, joyful village, full of humble and cozy homes, was ravaged when more than 100 rabid murderers intent on killing Jews scaled the two fences separating the community from Gaza. Of the community’s 960 residents, 66 were murdered, 18 were kidnapped, and one remains unaccounted for.

EA

About the Author

Erielle Azerrad

Erielle Azerrad serves as deputy chief counsel to Senator Ted Cruz and is a senior fellow at the Center for the Middle East and International Law at George Mason University. She practiced anti-terrorism litigation for several years prior. The thoughts presented are her own and not necessarily representative of her office.