The storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque by the Israeli forces on April 5 has triggered a rampant wave of misinformation. Several social media accounts posted a video clip alleging that some Palestinians and members of Hamas staged the events at the mosque to garner sympathy. What are the facts behind these allegations?
Was the Attack on Al-Aqsa Mosque Staged by Palestinians?
Misbar investigated the circulating clip and found out that it was taken from a video published by Anadolu Agency via their social media accounts. The clip shows the Israeli forces entering the mosque and attacking the worshipers.
Media outlets also published different scenes of the Israeli forces raiding the mosque, with some young men inside the mosque trying to resist.
Who Is Spreading Misinformation About the Attack on Al-Aqsa?
According to Misbar’s investigation, several accounts that shared the video have a history of promoting pro-Israeli propaganda and discrediting Palestinian narratives. For instance, the account of Malik al-Dossary, who was among those who shared the video claiming it was staged, has previously spread misinformation about the killing of Palestinian child Muhammad al-Dura by Israeli soldiers.
Another account that shared the video, that of Majid bin Sultan, is also known for promoting false claims and narratives that support Israeli interests.
In addition to these individual accounts, there were also many Israel-affiliated accounts that shared the video and disseminated false information. These accounts sought to promote the false narrative suggesting that the violence in the video was staged, and that the Palestinian cause is not a legitimate one. Moreover, these accounts attempted to portray Israel as a peaceful and humanitarian state that is a victim of terrorism, rather than an aggressor that commits ongoing acts of violence and oppression against Palestinians. Edy Cohen, an Israeli journalist close to the security services and the Israeli Authority, was among those sharing propaganda.
Evacuating Al-Aqsa Mosque to Hold Rituals of Passover
The Israeli forces stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque to evacuate it from the worshipers before the Jewish Passover holiday, which led to an escalation of violence against the worshipers. The settlers entered the courtyard of the mosque to perform their rituals, leading to the arrest of hundreds of Palestinians. The video clips verified by Misbar showed sound bombs being thrown at Muslim worshipers performing i'tikaaf, which is an Islamic practice consisting of a period of staying in a mosque for a certain number of days.
Israeli soldiers cut off electricity in the Al-Qibli Mosque and smashed the door of the medical clinic. The footage also shows the Israeli forces assaulting women in the courtyards of the mosque and arresting them. Other footage showed the detainees being handcuffed inside the mosque while being assaulted with batons.
The Palestinian Prisoners Affairs Authority stated that about 500 Palestinians were arrested by the Israeli forces following the raid. A statement by the Palestinian Red Crescent also denounced the Israeli forces’ attack on the Red Crescent crews by firing rubber bullets at them, throwing stun grenades, and attacking vehicles with batons. Many members of the Red Crescent crews were injured, and their vehicles were damaged to prevent them from reaching Al-Aqsa Mosque to offer medical assistance.
Misbar’s Sources:
