The Israeli Defence Forces led foreign press representatives on a tour of the site, which was one of the areas most severely affected during the attack by Hamas militants on Israel from the Gaza Strip on Tuesday.
Amidst the charred remnants of houses, scattered furniture, and burnt-out cars in the Kfar Aza kibbutz, the grim scene unfolded as Israeli soldiers meticulously proceeded from house to house to recover the deceased.
As the foreign press walked through the kibbutz, the overpowering odor of bodies hung heavy in the air, serving as a haunting reminder of the tragic events that had unfolded.
Major General Itai Veruv, an Israeli military officer, conveyed the sheer horror of what had transpired, emphasizing that it transcended the realm of war or a battlefield. He described it as a massacre, an act of terror that defied comprehension and harkened back to the historical pogroms in Europe and other atrocities of the past.
Outside one of the modest houses in the kibbutz, the lifeless body of a resident was shrouded beneath a purple sheet, with a lone barefoot visible. Personal belongings and fragments of the household were strewn about, bearing witness to the chaos.
Elsewhere, the lifeless bodies of the armed militants lay prone on the ground. The wreckage of a gate at the kibbutz's perimeter indicated the point of entry for the gunmen.
These militants had gone on a rampage, claiming the lives of numerous Israelis and taking many more hostage in locales such as Kfar Aza, located near Sderot. Some of the houses had been reduced to nearly rubble, their walls collapsed and charred.
Israeli troops engaged in the solemn task of entering homes to retrieve the remains of civilians, securing them in body bags. This difficult process had been delayed due to the ongoing confrontation with gunmen and the need to navigate through potentially dangerous booby traps.
One soldier's impassioned cry served as a plea to share the horrifying reality witnessed at the scene with the world.
Soldiers remained vigilant, ensuring the security of the kibbutz's pathways, which featured single-story houses with verandas, palm trees, and banana plants. The sounds of distant gunfire and explosions punctuated the air, while overhead, jets roared, and plumes of smoke from Gaza could be seen. Warning sirens alerted to the interception of incoming rockets overhead.
A military spokesperson disclosed that the death toll resulting from the attacks by Hamas had surged to 900, predominantly comprising civilians ruthlessly targeted in their homes, on the streets, or even during a festive gathering. This staggering toll far exceeded any prior Islamist attack, except for 9/11. Additionally, scores of Israelis had been taken hostage in Gaza, with some being paraded through the streets.
Conversely, Gaza reported at least 770 casualties from Israeli strikes, along with extensive destruction of entire neighborhoods.
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