October 07, 2023

Misinformation about Israel and Hamas is spreading on social media

Source: NBC News

Journalists: Elizabeth Chuck, Ben Goggin, Anna Schecter

The group instead has turned primarily to the messaging platform Telegram to distribute its content and saw colossal follower growth on Saturday.

In the channel, Hamas posted polished promotional videos as well as on-the-ground footage from Saturday's violence. Others have since reposted the videos to other social media platforms.

Among the footage circulating Saturday were videos of Israeli civilian hostages taken into Gaza. Others purport to show Hamas opening fire at Israeli attendees of a music festival.

“The images and videos that Hamas has released of innocent civilians are objectively horrifying. And while they may have released these videos in hopes of rallying other Palestinians to launch attacks, it's more likely to draw the international community to Israel’s side,” said Jonathan Lord, senior fellow and director of the Middle East Security Program at the Center for a New American Security, a think tank in Washington.

Read the full story and more from NBC News.

Author

  • Jonathan Lord

    Senior Fellow and Director, Middle East Security Program

    Jonathan Lord is a Senior Fellow and Director of the Middle East Security program at CNAS. Prior to joining CNAS, Lord served as a professional staff member for the House Arme...