On June 24, the official X account and website of the Israel Occupying Forces (IOF) released a photo claiming to show a ‘confiscated gun’ from a Palestinian in Nablus, the West Bank. Israeli media outlets widely shared the photo of the ‘confiscated gun’ online. However, after a thorough investigation, Misbar's team found that the gun is nothing but a toy.
IOF Claimed Their Forces Confiscated a ‘Gun’ From a Palestinian in Nablus
On June 24, the Israeli Occupying Forces reported on their official Hebrew X account that during operations in Nablus, their forces "arrested a wanted man, in Hebron in the Yehuda Division, the fighters arrested a wanted man suspected of inciting terrorism and confiscated weapons, in Hussan and Beit Fajar in the Etzion Brigade and in Bala in Menashe they arrested four more wanted men."
The IOF also released a photo purporting to show one of the ‘confiscated weapons.’
Subsequently, Israeli media outlets used the same photo of the seized 'gun' in their coverage of the Israeli military's operation in Nablus.
The Israeli outlet reported that on June 24, the IOF conducted raids in Kfar Naama and Silwad, seizing weapons and conducting arrests and interrogations. In Silwad, Binyamin, three wanted individuals were arrested, and materials for making explosives were confiscated.
In recent operations in Nablus, the Israeli military arrested several wanted individuals and ‘confiscated weapons,’ the IOF’s post reads.
The Israeli military has also released a video documenting the operation.
Misbar's Investigation Finds 'Confiscated Gun' to Be a Toy Rifle
Contrary to the IOF's published photo of the ‘confiscated gun’ and their claim of seizing it from Palestinian fighters, Misbar's team found that the confiscated item was a replica toy rifle resembling a KAR98.
Misbar’s team found several sources selling the same rifle toy online.
Misbar conducted a comparison between the toy rifle, depicted on the right side of the picture, and the alleged 'confiscated gun' by the Israeli military, shown on the left side. Misbar's findings revealed striking similarities between the two images, including the skull-shaped rifle, the shape and curvature of the ammunition magazine, as well as the scope and zoom settings. Even the text written on the back of the rifle and the color of the gun muzzles were identical.
According to the toy rifle description, the KAR98 Orbital Rifle is equipped with a battery and capable of firing in both automatic and manual modes. It shoots Orbeez balls, which are loaded from below via a removable magazine. The rifle is constructed from plastic materials. The rifle is generally considered a harmless toy. Orbeez balls represent a growing trend in team games and entertainment, appealing to children and adults alike.
This toy is available in various models, including machine guns, rifles, and pistols, and it recreates the atmosphere of popular video games and shooters.
Misbar’s investigative team found that the design of the toy rifle is also available on other toy guns sold in online markets.
One website selling the item has uploaded photos of a similar design under the name 'AK47 Gel Blaster Gun Toy Gun Electric Burst Gel Water Bomb Gun for Outdoor Activities Game Shooter Gun Gel Bullet Gun Gifts.'
Another website selling the AUG toy rifle has uploaded a photo with the same design as the seized 'gun.'
The AUG toy rifle is listed under the description '2 in 1 Electric and Manual Gel Blaster Rifle Gun Splatter Ball Toy Guns Outdoor Game Pistol M416 AUG Submachine for Boys Gift.'
U.N. Warns of Deteriorating Situation in West Bank Amid Unlawful Killings of Palestinians
The top United Nations human rights official recently highlighted the deepening crisis facing Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and the “unconscionable death and suffering” in Gaza.
Volker Turk, addressing the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva, emphasized that conditions in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, are rapidly deteriorating. He reported that from the onset of the recent conflict in Gaza in October until June 15, Israeli military forces or settlers killed at least 528 Palestinians, including 133 children, raising serious concerns about unlawful killings in many instances.
Turk also noted that residents of the West Bank have endured continuous and unprecedented violence in recent weeks.
Israel Conducts Mass Arrests in Occupied West Bank and Gaza
Israeli forces have been detaining an average of 35 Palestinians daily since the Israeli war on Gaza began, resulting in 9,112 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons as of June 1, nearly double the number incarcerated since October 1, according to figures from Palestinian prisoner advocacy groups.
A recent report from The New York Times, based on interviews with Israeli soldiers and former Palestinian detainees, exposed severe mistreatment at Sde Teiman detention center. The investigation revealed that prisoners there endured beatings, torture, and instances of sexual violence. According to officers at Sde Teiman cited by the Times, 35 out of 4,000 Palestinian detainees have died since October 7.
Fadi Bakr, a 25-year-old displaced from Gaza City, recounted the brutality he experienced at Sde Teiman after being detained on January 5. Bakr described enduring torture such as being hit in sensitive areas, having cigarettes extinguished on his body, and facing other forms of physical abuse. His detention followed an incident in which he was shot in the stomach by Israeli forces while attempting to return home to find flour.
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