The pivotal role of misinformation and disinformation in influencing perspectives during conflicts is widely acknowledged. In the Israeli war on Gaza, the Israeli government's dissemination of disinformation has notably escalated, perpetuating fabricated narratives. Since October 7, Israeli government-affiliated accounts on the X platform have been actively spreading misinformation. A recent example occurred when the Israeli Occupation Forces account uploaded a video with two contrasting claims within five days.
IOF Shared a Video About the Gaza War With Two Different Claims
Amid the ongoing Israeli war on the Gaza Strip, Misbar's investigative team uncovered a video clip released by the Israeli Occupation Forces' X account, which has been operated by the ministry since 2010.
The account's bio describes it as the official IOF presence on Twitter, showing direct and verified reports from the field.
On April 11, the account shared a video allegedly featuring the combat team of the 401st Brigade, Nahal, and other units under the command of the 162nd Division embarking on a targeted operation.
The mission, as described, aimed to eliminate Palestinian resistance fighters and dismantle infrastructure in the central area of the Gaza Strip.
The post’s translated caption reads, “The combat team of the 401st Brigade, Nahal, and other units under the command of the 162nd Division began tonight a targeted operation to eliminate terrorists and destroy terrorist infrastructure in the center of the Gaza Strip.”
Nevertheless, on April 16, the same account shared the same footage, claiming it features the Nahal Brigade's combat team engaging in activity within the central area of the Gaza Strip.
The account asserted that during this operation, the forces successfully eliminated several Palestinian resistance members who were observed moving towards them, using tank fire.
In addition, the account claimed that, as part of the 215th Fire Brigade's combat efforts, the forces directed Air Force aircraft to target and destroy infrastructure.
Hence, the account posted the video under two distinct claims regarding the same operation, altering the divisions allegedly involved in the purportedly aggressive action in the Gaza Strip.
Israel Withdraws Troops from Southern Gaza
On April 7, Israel announced the withdrawal of all its ground troops from southern Gaza for "tactical reasons," according to the Israeli military. The Israel Occupation Forces stated that two brigades would remain in the northern half of the Gaza Strip and the newly established corridor dividing the Palestinian territory at Wadi Gaza.
The decision is understood to be aimed at easing the burden on reservists following nearly four months of intense combat in the heavily damaged southern city of Khan Younis, rather than indicating a significant change in strategy.
An army official who spoke to the Israel daily Haaretz said, “There’s no need for us to remain in Khan Younis. The 98th Division dismantled Hamas’s Khan Younis brigades and killed thousands of its members. We did everything we could there.”
Israel’s Barbaric Aggression on Gaza Escalates
The Ministry of Health in Gaza announced on Friday that the death toll in the Gaza Strip has reached at least 34,012 after over six months of Israel's barbaric war on Gaza. In the past 24 hours, 42 Palestinians have been martyred due to Israeli attacks, as reported by the ministry. In addition, 63 individuals were injured during the same period, bringing the total number of wounded in the Gaza Strip since the beginning of the war to 76,833.
Amid concerns about Israel's "inevitable" invasion of Rafah, U.S. officials have once again expressed apprehension to their Israeli counterparts regarding Israel's proposed military actions.
The U.S. has consistently urged Israel to refrain from launching a major offensive in Rafah to prevent further civilian casualties in Gaza. U.S. officials purportedly conveyed to the Israelis that their plans for Rafah lacked adequate measures for evacuating and safeguarding Palestinian civilians who have been displaced from their homes and are seeking shelter there.
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