Hamas targeting Israeli, global audiences with disinformation

Leading cyber research center warns against information warfare

The Gaza-Israel conflict has become a fertile ground for disinformation warfare. These campaigns aim to create fear, panic, and manipulate the Israeli public, while also influencing international public opinion.

Hamas and other actors have been employing social media bots to disseminate dangerous misinformation and incite fear among Israeli citizens, according to a new report from the Blavatnik Interdisciplinary Cyber Research Center (ICRC). This development has raised concerns about the impact of fake news and disinformation in times of crisis, as well as its potential influence on international public opinion.

Since October 7, a range of actors, using both authentic and fake social media profiles, has actively spread disinformation, and violent and incendiary content across social platforms, with the goal of sowing panic and eroding trust in the Israeli government and military. These actors encompass pro-Palestinian users from various countries, including members or supporters of groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and notably, Iran. A known sponsor of Hamas, Iran has played a role in this disinformation campaign through coordinated false narratives, building on its history of information warfare against Israel on social media.

According to Israeli startup CHEQ, fake accounts and bots operated by nefarious actors have been working to amplify the conspiracy theory that insiders within Israeli security and intelligence agencies intentionally allowed the attack to occur. Furthermore, recent days saw the proliferation of faked recordings and voice messages shared via WhatsApp groups which falsely claimed that a high-ranking IDF officer recommended Israeli civilians stockpile groceries, cash, and fuel, leading to mass-buying and product shortages.

Misinformation campaigns have not been limited to Israeli audiences. Some narratives and messages have targeted international public opinion or local public opinion in key countries, such as the United States. One example of this lies in a forged White House press release falsely claiming that the Biden administration authorized $8 billion in emergency aid to Israel, a move that garnered significant attention and was later debunked.

According to cyber intelligence startup Cyabra, one of the leading narratives put forward by Hamas’s social media campaigning aims to highlight its alleged humane and compassionate behavior as they took hostages. To achieve this portrayal, Hamas selectively extracts specific segments from videos captured during Saturday’s tragic attack to construct a semblance of civility.

To effectively combat the growing menace of disinformation during times of conflict, the ICRC recommends several key strategies for Israel. First and foremost, enhancing cooperation with social media companies is of paramount importance. Building close partnerships, particularly with platforms like X (formerly Twitter), which have become breeding grounds for hostile proHamas and anti-Israeli activity, is essential. Such collaboration is indispensable for the prompt detection and removal of inauthentic accounts and incendiary content that fuel the disinformation campaigns.

Furthermore, educating the public is a crucial facet of this battle against falsehoods. Israeli authorities must proactively inform citizens about the tactics used in influence operations and disseminate best practices for debunking false content. Equipping the populace with these tools is vital in helping individuals discern between accurate and unreliable information, ultimately fortifying society against disinformation’s corrosive effects.