On December 12, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz published an investigation, stating that the Israeli army's psychological warfare unit runs a Telegram channel, 72 Virgins Uncensored, exempt from content censorship restrictions. The channel shares video clips containing violent content.
Haaretz pointed out that the channel documents soldiers dealing with the bodies of Palestinian resistance fighters and scenes of the Gaza Strip's destruction during the ongoing Israeli aggression.
The Occupation Runs a Telegram Channel Publishing Violent Content During the Gaza War
The newspaper's investigation stated that the occupation army denied managing the channel. However, a senior military official, who requested anonymity, confirmed the army's responsibility for its operation since October 9. The newspaper quoted the official as saying, "The fact that soldiers run such a problematic page is scandalous."
On February 4, the newspaper published a report documenting the army’s admission of responsibility for managing the channel. It stated that an internal investigation had been opened, and the results were summarized in a written statement sent to Haaretz by the army. The statement indicated that the channel was managed by their forces “without permission from the public administration.” It also mentioned that “this incident was dealt with appropriately.”
According to Haaretz investigation, the channel targets the Israeli public, asking them to republish videos and photos, as well as exclusive materials from investigations or information available only to the security service.
The newspaper also stated that the description of the violent scenes published by the channel included phrases such as, “You can hear their bones breaking. We will publish it immediately, be prepared, stay tuned!” and pictures of Palestinians captured by the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip, and pictures of the corpses of Hamas fighters, were accompanied by comments saying, “Exterminate the cockroaches... Exterminating Hamas rats... Share this beauty.” Another comment said, “Garbage juice!!!! Another dead terrorist!! You must watch it with audio, you will die of laughter.”
The Israeli army's admission of its responsibility for the 72 Virgins Uncensored channel coincided with an Israeli soldier publishing a video clip of himself interrogating a Palestinian citizen who was stripped naked and tied on his hands and feet.
The Abu Ali Express Channel Is Another Arm of Israeli Media Propaganda
In August 2021, Haaretz newspaper revealed the connection of a Telegram channel called Abu Ali Express with the Israeli army. Its activity emerged during the events in the Al-Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood in May 2021, following orders to evacuate the homes of Palestinian families in favor of settlers. This sparked the Battle of Saif Al-Quds by Palestinian resistance factions.
The channel, still active today, publishes in Hebrew and English, specializing in Palestinian-Israeli and Arab affairs.
The channel also displays exclusive content, including video clips filmed in the locations of the occupation forces, in addition to articles attacking Israeli journalists and politicians who oppose the decisions of the Israeli government.
Haaretz investigation stated, at the time, that the Israeli army spokesman’s unit sometimes referred journalists searching for information about events in Gaza to this channel, despite its disclaimer that the content did not come from any military source.
The channel denies any direct connection or official authorization by the Israeli occupation forces.
Forms of Israeli Propaganda During the Gaza War
Since the beginning of the ongoing aggression against the Gaza Strip on October 7, Misbar has monitored many forms of propaganda used by the occupation to promote the Israeli narrative. This includes misleading claims fabricated about Hamas assaulting children and the intention to compare Hamas to ISIS to gain sympathy from the international community in its war. In addition to media efforts by the occupation to support a campaign discrediting scenes of Palestinian injuries and deaths, false claims about the surrender of Palestinian resistance members are disseminated through the use of AI-generated images.
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