Zaka stories have been essential to justifying Israel’s all-out war against Gaza, which has killed around 30,000 Palestinians in less than five months. Speaking at the United Nations in December, Zaka deputy commander Simcha Greiniman broke down while describing alleged atrocities. He later told the same stories to a meeting of British parliamentarians.

Even when Western media outlets have questioned Landau, the inquiries were half-hearted. The Times asked Landau “about reports, attributed to him, that children had been beheaded on Oct. 7.” It reported: “Mr. Landau denied making the claim, though he acknowledged sometimes misspeaking in the immediate aftermath of the attack. What he saw himself, he said, was a small, burned body with at least part of the head missing, perhaps severed by the force of a blast. It was unclear, he added, if it was the body of teenager or someone younger.”

While the Times said the statements had been “attributed” to Landau, there is no dispute he said them. He told the stories on camera, and the clips were posted widely online. He told CNN he found “a body, of a 14, 15-year-old. Head chopped off. We were looking around for the head. Couldn’t find it.” On India’s Republic TV, Landau said of beheaded children, “Yes, this occurred. This happened.” He made similar comments to Channel 14 Israel and CBS News. There is no evidence Hamas beheaded children or babies. As The Intercept reported at the time, the Israeli military said it couldn’t confirm the claims just four days after the attack.

Media outlets, including Israeli television news programs, have debunked numerous stories about dead babies, calling them “fictional.”

  • FlowVoid@lemmy.world
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    9 months ago

    Her own family was not there. They saw the same photos as everyone else. They are in pain and it is understandable if they don’t want to believe she was raped, but I can draw my own conclusions.

    • Linkerbaan@lemmy.worldOP
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      9 months ago

      Then explain why the IDF found no forensic evidence of her being raped. Or anyone else being raped.

      A non-burned body would surely contain evidence.

      The rape story is incredibly stupid to begin with. Rape only happens after combat is over. Even the hostages that were release all said they were not raped.

      The only party raping in this conflict is the IDF which rapes women and sexually violates girls in prison.

      • FlowVoid@lemmy.world
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        9 months ago

        They did not find forensic evidence because they did not conduct a forensic investigation.

          • FlowVoid@lemmy.world
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            9 months ago

            Next time there is an unprecedented terrorist attack, perhaps they will be better organized.

            In the meantime, all we are left with is the evidence of our own eyes.

            • Linkerbaan@lemmy.worldOP
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              9 months ago

              Indeed. Our own eyes that can observe that Hamas did not rape anyone since October 7 but israel did.

              Are you admitting israel raped people by the way? Or do your eyes not work well enough for that?

              • FlowVoid@lemmy.world
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                9 months ago

                You can’t observe anything, because you don’t want to look and you don’t want to listen. Even when freed captives report sexual abuse. You’ve already made up your mind.

                As for Israel, they are also responsible for atrocities. Both sides in this conflict are filled with a deep hatred that brings out the worst in humanity.

                • Linkerbaan@lemmy.worldOP
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                  9 months ago

                  An IDF doctor statement is your “evidence”?

                  The same party that lied about rapes on Oct7, and are actual rapists are your credible source?

                  If only the IDF allowed interviews with the released hostages. But they don’t since the first interviews with released hostages all said they were treated well which is bad optics when the IDF is the side actually doing the raping.

                  And again no forensic evidence this time from women that are alive… 🤔

                  • FlowVoid@lemmy.world
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                    9 months ago

                    Ah yes, it’s back to “Believe women - unless they are Jews”.

                    I’m sure you will also dismiss testimony from 10/7 survivors who witnessed women being raped by Hamas, because they don’t fit your narrative.