Old Footage of ISIS Militants Circulated as Syrian Rebels Threatening Hamas

Misbar investigated the circulating video and found the claim to be misleading.

The Video Features Islamic State Threats

Misbar's team found that the video in question is not recent; it dates back to 2015 and shows militants from the Islamic State group, rather than Syrian rebels. Within the footage, these militants issue threats to undermine Hamas's authority in Gaza and to eradicate Israel. They accuse Hamas, the governing entity of the Palestinian territory, of insufficiently enforcing religious laws. This statement was reportedly made from an Islamic State stronghold located in Syria.

Syrian and Russian Airstrikes Intensify Against Rebels After Opposition Gains in Aleppo

The recent offensive launched in Syria began on Wednesday, with rebel factions declaring a swift takeover of a military base and 15 villages previously held by government forces in northwestern Aleppo province. Led by the jihadist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the rebels managed to cut off the main highway connecting Damascus to Aleppo, prompting immediate airstrikes from Russia, an ally of President Assad.

By Friday night, HTS fighters advanced from their countryside base to the outskirts of Aleppo, and by Sunday, they appeared to have secured complete control of the city. In response, the Syrian military rushed reinforcements and equipment to Hama province amid intense fighting, as the rebels aimed to push south toward the regional capital. Simultaneously, both Syrian and Russian airstrikes targeted areas controlled by opposition forces. Reports indicate that HTS had been preparing for this operation for an extended period, conducting major military exercises in the weeks leading up to the attack and foreseeing a significant offensive. Military experts observe that HTS has transformed into a more formidable fighting force since the ceasefire, having established a new military academy and obtained full control of governance in its territories.

A critical factor contributing to this new advance is the overarching geopolitical situation, which suggests that Assad's allies may be distracted or weakened. Hezbollah, an Iranian proxy and a crucial element of Assad's military strategy, has suffered significant losses due to Israeli operations in Lebanon. While Russia remains a significant player and President Putin is keen to maintain influence in the region, Moscow’s military focus is currently diverted by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Israel has escalated its airstrikes against Iranian forces operating in Syria and has targeted weapon depots in Aleppo. During his presidency, Donald Trump authorized airstrikes on Syrian military installations as part of a broader strategy to apply pressure on Iran. According to Dareen Khalifa, a Syria expert at Crisis Group, these developments present a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” for the rebel factions.

Additionally, the recent airstrikes by Russian and Syrian forces against rebel-controlled areas may have also motivated this offensive, as they could be perceived as the precursor to a broader military campaign. Analysts like Haid Haid contend that the rebel factions faced a limited timeframe to act; any delay could have allowed the regime to reinforce its positions, particularly with Hezbollah no longer preoccupied by the war in Lebanon. Notably, the offensive commenced on the same day that a truce in Lebanon took effect.

Hamas Engages in Ceasefire Talks with Egypt as Israeli Prime Minister Prepares for Security Discussions

Hamas leaders met with Egyptian security officials last Sunday in a renewed effort to negotiate a ceasefire in the ongoing Gaza conflict, according to two sources from Hamas. Concurrently, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was scheduled to hold security discussions on the same issue, as reported by two Israeli officials.

This visit by Hamas to Cairo marked the first since the United States announced its intention to revive diplomatic efforts, in collaboration with Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, to establish a ceasefire in Gaza that would also address a potential hostage agreement. White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan expressed optimism about the prospects for a ceasefire and a hostage deal in the Palestinian territory, stating that such outcomes now seem more attainable.

Sullivan noted, “Hamas is isolated. Hezbollah is no longer engaged in combat alongside them, and their supporters in Iran and other regions are distracted by other conflicts.” He added, “While there is a chance for progress, I cannot predict when it will occur... We have come very close to a resolution multiple times without success.”

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This Video Does Not Show Recent Russian Strikes on Aleppo

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