On October 10, 2023, the Israel in Arabic X account shared a video featuring a group of Arabic speakers, one of whom stated, “Israel is always safe.” This was just three days after the onset of the Battle of the Flood of Al-Aqsa, during which Palestinian resistance forces captured hundreds of Israelis. The account highlighted this video prominently, conveying a message intended to reassure Israelis of their safety, despite the stark contrast to the actual situation on the ground.
Over a year after the video was released, on October 13, Hezbollah conducted a significant operation that targeted the Golani military base while Israeli soldiers were having a meal. This attack resulted in the deaths of four soldiers and injuries to dozens at the time of writing this investigation.
The Golani Brigade holds a significant place within the IOF due to its historical, operational, and cultural importance.
Military Censorship and Attempts To Downplay the Incident
Following the drone and missile strikes on the Golani Base, without activating the warning systems from the north to Haifa then Benyamina or in the Golani base itself, a significant delay in official communication raised concerns.
The attack resulted in a wave of panic as the public was not informed about the incident in an effort to conceal it. However, the arrival of numerous ambulances exposed the situation.
By analyzing the scene, we found that the drone strike of Hezbollah was executed around 7 PM, coinciding with dinner time at the base. The Israeli military did not release information about the attack for several hours after it occurred. When the IOF spokesperson Daniel Hagari finally confirmed the casualties at 12:40 AM, he did not provide details about the circumstances leading to the strike or why no warning systems were activated.
Before Daniel Hagari's X post, Avichay Adraee posted at 11:17 PM, over four hours after the attack, stating that “The rumors and misinformation being spread by Hezbollah’s minions only highlight their state of desperation, as if they're pleading for 'one achievement'. We will continue to target your terrorist hideouts to eliminate your evil.” This demonstrates how the IOF and the Israeli establishment attempted to downplay Hezbollah's impact.
Additionally, Misbar found a report by a news site called "Breaking the News," published ten hours after the attack according to the Times of Israel, claiming that "Israeli medics stated there are no reports of injuries."
This statement contradicts the overwhelming evidence at a time of panic and the arrival of multiple ambulances at the scene, which indicated a different reality.
As the situation unfolded, it became clear that there was significant fear and concern among the public, further highlighting the disconnection between official narratives and on-the-ground realities. Such reports contribute to a growing sense of mistrust of the information being disseminated by Israeli officials.
Misbar Tracked Numerous Posts That Expressed Significant Fear and Anxiety
Unlike the IOF’s narrative, Initial reports circulated on social media during more than five-hour silence from military officials, leading to public speculation and anxiety. Families of the deceased soldiers expressed frustration over the lack of early warning sirens and clarity from military officials regarding the incident.
The analysis of Israeli posts reveals a significant sense of panic and fear among the Israeli populace, particularly in response to the government's handling of security issues. Many users express that the government, led by Benjamin Netanyahu, is using them as “scapegoats” for broader failures, reflecting deep-seated insecurities within Israeli society.
Social media sentiment indicates widespread dissatisfaction with the government's performance. Users point out that Netanyahu's administration has failed to deliver on its promises regarding security measures. The pattern of blaming external entities or specific groups for internal issues has been a recurring theme in Israeli politics.
The sentiment on platforms like X suggests a significant distrust in Netanyahu's leadership, with many users feeling that he is more focused on maintaining power than on addressing the needs of the people.
Israel's Manipulation of Narratives
This is not the first instance where Israeli authorities have attempted to obscure realities on the ground. Israel has effectively manipulated media narratives to present its actions as defensive.
This has obscured the realities on the ground, particularly the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the historical context of Palestinian grievances. This manipulation has been described as a "public relations triumph" that allows Western governments to justify their support for Israel despite the unfolding violence in Gaza.
Reports suggest that initial Israeli claims about the scale of Hamas atrocities were exaggerated and widely disseminated without sufficient scrutiny. This has led to a narrative that shifts exclusive blame onto Hamas while ignoring Israel's own security failures leading up to the attack.
The Israeli government's portrayal of the situation has been characterized as an attempt to create a mythology around October 7 that simplifies complex realities into an unrealistic narrative.
The framing of October 7 as a singular event has been criticized for ignoring the long-standing issues contributing to the conflict, including territorial disputes and historical injustices faced by Palestinians. Some analysts argue that this approach serves to justify aggressive military responses under the guise of national security.
Following the outbreak of war, media access to Gaza has been heavily restricted, limiting coverage of the humanitarian situation there. Journalists have reported difficulties in obtaining accurate information from within Gaza due to these limitations. The focus on Israeli casualties and hostages has overshadowed the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where civilian casualties have risen dramatically in response to Israeli military actions.
This selective narrative perpetuates a cycle of suffering for Palestinians while garnering sympathy for Israeli victims.
Finally, it is worth noting that the Golani Base is located near Kaft Qara, not Binyamina, with coordinates 32.526020, 35.061497, according to an investigation by (@m_osint).
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