Forensic Expert Details Unprecedented Atrocities of October 7th Hamas Attack

Professor Hen Kugel, director of Israel's National Center of Forensic Medicine, has revealed previously undisclosed evidence of the deliberate and systematic mass murder carried out by Hamas on October 7th. In an interview with Ynet, Kugel described the horrific process of identifying victims, including cases of individuals burned alive and groups of foreign workers shot in the legs and left to bleed to death. He detailed the immense challenge of processing approximately 3,000 bags containing body fragments and burnt bones, with many parts belonging to the same individual.

Kugel recounted the overwhelming scale of the task, stating that his institute handled over 900 bodies from October 7th and the subsequent "Swords of Iron" war, in addition to hundreds of bodies of terrorists and Gazan residents examined to rule out the presence of Israeli hostages. The smell of burning human flesh permeated the southern Tel Aviv area during the peak processing days. The forensic team worked tirelessly to identify victims, aiming to provide closure for families to bury their loved ones according to Jewish rites.

The professor revealed that the systematic cruelty of the Hamas Nukhba forces indicated a pre-planned extermination program, not a spontaneous outburst of rage. He cited examples such as a group of foreign workers locked in a room, shot in the legs, and left to die, and a bomb shelter set ablaze with flammable materials to create a crematorium. Kugel emphasized that the meticulous planning and varied methods used across different locations pointed to a deliberate strategy.

Kugel also shared his personal struggle with the trauma, admitting he required psychological help and was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. He described a moment of emotional breakdown, not from the violence, but from witnessing the profound kindness and solidarity of volunteers and staff working together. The institute achieved a 100% identification rate for the victims, an unprecedented feat in forensic medicine, surpassing even the efforts after the September 11th attacks.

He also discussed the examination of Hamas leader Ichye Sinwar's body, noting he died from a fatal head wound. Kugel expressed frustration over the global lack of acknowledgment of Israel's evidence and the rise of antisemitism, citing instances where scientific papers detailing the atrocities were rejected by international journals without review. Kugel concluded by reflecting on the immense suffering witnessed in the dissection room, including the bodies of children, and the lasting emotional toll on himself and his staff.