I know evil exists; I’ve seen the evidence

By Rolene Marks

Warning: This article contains information that is not for sensitive readers

I have covered a lot during since 7 October. I have been down to the south, walked the killing fields of Kfar Aza, Nahal Oz, the Nova site and more. I have looked into the eyes of the families of hostages as they have pleaded for us to keep telling the stories of their loved ones to remind the world to fight for their release. I have interviewed lawyers and first responders who gathered the evidence to speak for our women and men who have been and continue to be sexually violated by Hamas. I have seen more footage and photography of the atrocities committed by Hamas than the human soul can bear – but this week I saw the evidence of another side of this evil.

As journalists, we are the recorders of history, the witnesses that often speak for those who cannot, the storytellers of events and the pursuers of truth. Since 7 October, it has been at times an excruciating job but one that is almost sacred. In the face of growing denial, we have a duty to remind the world of what happened that Black Sabbath.

I was invited with a very small group of journalists to view evidence that the IDF Intelligence had captured in Israel and Gaza at the Israel Intelligence Commemoration Centre (IICC) on 7 October and throughout Operation Iron Swords. It is a chilling testament to the depths of evil and the meticulous planning that resulted in the worst massacre of Jews since the Holocaust and foreign nationals.  There is no end to the depths to the depravity they carried out – and what their intentions were.

The evidence includes examples from the arsenal of weapons used by Hamas terrorists such as Bangalore’s to breach fences and walls, RPG’s, AK-47’s bayonets, thermobaric bombs, grenades, IED’s (Improvised Explosive Devices) and much more as well as headbands, identity documents, backpacks and personal effects belonging to various terror factions. Guides and manuals found on terrorists, included ISIS instructions on how to create toxic gas weapons. Two of the motorcycles that were among those used by the terrorists are also on display. Hamas breached Israel at 30 different points and entered in 150 pick-up trucks and 350 motorcycles. Their intention was to get as far as Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

Kidnapping kits taken from the backpacks of terrorists are testimony to how meticulously planned the invasion was. The plan was to kidnap as many civilians and take them to Gaza. The kidnapping kits include tourniquets, syringes and drugs to take hostages and Tasers. Hostages had more value alive than dead but we know now how many corpses were ‘kidnapped’ as well.

The most chilling part of the exhibition is the collection of documentation and the evidence of incitement. Operational orders found included the instructions:

“Know that this enemy of yours is an incurable disease, except for head decapitation and uprooting hearts and livers”

A translation document explains how to say Hebrew phrases such as “women here“, “children here“, “take off your pants” and “take off your clothes“.

Other documents include detailed layout of a training area, designed to look like a kibbutz and plans for where to kidnap civilians. A map of Kibbutz Be’eri with neighborhoods clearly marked was also found. The map was found on one of the Hamas terrorists and had been torn up as he tried to destroy it before it was discovered. The map shows the areas of entry into the kibbutz, after Hamas gathered intelligence from Gazan workers from the kibbutz who entered Israel with work permits. The area that was purposely targeted were the houses to the south side of the kibbutz where families with young children lived.

Evidence from Gaza including copies of “Mein Kampf” translated into Arabic and documents proving employment at UNRWA as well as photographs and identity documents of Ashraf Mahd el Madhoun, and Islamic Jihad operative, posing with his family. He was an employee of UNRWA.  Hamas would regularly have property ownership relationships with UNRWA and there is a collection of signed contracts as well as certificates of course completion.

We hear a lot about the incitement in the Palestinian Territories, but when you are confronted with the evidence of it, it is a punch to the solar plexus. One of the most popular books found in your average Gazan home, displaying the level of indoctrinated from the cradle to the grave is a book for children about killing Jews with their car. There are also books about the “history of the Jews” where the worst antisemitic tropes are presented as fact. There are numerous books of collections of religious decrees or Fatwas that share religious justification to commit the unspeakable atrocities that were committed on 7 October.

As journalists who have covered the atrocities and seen the footage, photos, and are familiar with the methods used by Hamas and other terror organizations, hearing medical and forensic explanations was as horrific as it was in the days and weeks that followed the invasion. I will spare you the details but I saw the evidence that feminist organisations, college students, social-justice “warriors” and so many deny. I saw the horror that Hamas carried out will glee and have sworn to commit again and again and again.

The IICC will open a permanent exhibition of the evidence on 7 October 2024. The exhibition will be open to the public. Speaking to “Major T” who guided us through the evidence, he told us, “People can see that 7 October was very well planned for many years,” he continues. “It is important for people to see what happened because there is so much denial,” he says.

Evil exists. I know, because I saw the evidence with my own eyes.

While the mission of Lay of the Land (LotL) is to provide a wide and diverse perspective of affairs in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world, the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by its various writers are not necessarily ones of the owners and management of LOTL but of the writers themselves.  LotL endeavours to the best of its ability to credit the use of all known photographs to the photographer and/or owner of such photographs (0&EO).