Israel Spin Unit Faked 'Evidence' To Justify Targeting Journalists

Anas Al-Sharif, left, and four of his colleagues - behind, the remains of the press tent where they died

Israel’s military is accused of creating a secret “legitimisation” unit to justify strikes that killed Gaza journalists after four Al Jazeera reporters and three of their media colleagues died in a single strike outside Shifa hospital.

Since October 7, rights groups say more than 238 press and media workers have been killed in the Gaza war; Israel claims some journalists had militant links but press groups say there is no proof, and protests and calls for international investigations are growing. 

An Israeli journalist has said military intelligence set up a “Legitimisation Cell” to produce material that would make civilian deaths appear lawful. He said the unit aimed to cast doubt on reporters and to counter claims that journalists were non-combatants.

Israel told reporters it had 'evidence' that some of the journalists killed were linked to Hamas, citing as their 'proof' a photograph of Anas Al-Sharif with Hamas' late leader Yahya Sinwar, and a screenshot of a supposed Telegram message - subsequently found to have been fabricated. The army said the documents offered “unequivocal proof” of involvement in attacks. Al Jazeera and press freedom groups reject those claims and say no credible evidence has been made public.

Above: The fake Telegram message, confirmed to have been fabricated."IDF claims lack verifiable evidence, consistent with past debunked accusations". Dozens of Israeli claims and alleged 'discoveries' have been proved or reported to be false, including accounts of what happened on October 7th, which even Israel itself has admitted to be untrue.

The strike that killed Anas al-Sharif and colleagues has drawn sharp international criticism and led to protests in several cities. 

Press watchdogs say the toll is high. The Committee to Protect Journalists has verified scores of deaths in the course of the war. Gaza’s local authorities offer a higher figure. Rights groups and editors say the pattern of accusation and then killing echoes other conflicts where forces labelled reporters as combatants to blunt outrage. Reporters Without Borders notes repeated cases where journalists were publicly discredited after their deaths.

The death toll - 238 journalists killed by Israel

 Legal experts say targeting journalists may breach the laws of war. International law treats journalists as civilians unless they take a direct part in hostilities. Human rights bodies and some legal teams are pressing for independent probes and for evidence to be shown to neutral investigators. Some civil society groups are preparing cases for international courts.

What Israel and its supporters call legitimate military action is presented by critics as an effort to silence witnesses. What the Israeli right views as a security need, many on the left view as a threat to free reporting and accountability.

This debate will shape diplomatic pressure on Israel and the response from its partners. If proof of wrongdoing by the military unit surfaces, the political cost in Western capitals could rise. If no clear proof emerges, the deaths will still widen mistrust and deepen calls for legal remedies. The stakes go beyond Gaza. They touch the future of war reporting and the public’s right to know.

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References

Yuval Abraham, “Israel's army formed special intel unit to 'justify killing' of hundreds of Gaza journalists,” The Cradle, 12 August 2025, https://thecradle.co/articles-id/32487.

“Israel strike kills Al Jazeera journalists in Gaza,” Reuters, 11 August 2025, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-strike-kills-al-jazeera-journalists-gaza-2025-08-11/.

Sam Metz and Samy Magdy, “Israel targets and kills Al Jazeera correspondent Anas al-Sharif in Gaza as journalist toll grows,” Associated Press, 11 August 2025, https://apnews.com/article/b90811972b16155618e811d7d7b4e171.

“Israel’s intelligence created unit to legitimise killing reporters in Gaza, says Israeli journalist,” Dawn, 12 August 2025, https://www.dawn.com/news/1930412.

“Israel kills Anas al-Sharif and three Al Jazeera staff in Gaza: What we know,” Al Jazeera, 11 August 2025, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/10/al-jazeera-journalist-anas-al-sharif-killed-in-israeli-attack-in-gaza-city.

“Ismail al-Ghoul’s killing: targeted and discredited, Palestinian journalists suffer double punishment,” Reporters Without Borders (RSF), (analysis 2024–25), https://rsf.org/en/ismail-al-ghouls-killing-targeted-and-discredited-palestinian-journalists-suffer-double-punishment.

“Protests held worldwide over Israel's murder of Al Jazeera Gaza journalists,” Al Jazeera, 12 August 2025, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/12/protests-held-worldwide-over-israels-murder-of-al-jazeera-gaza-journalists.

“Hunt for Anas al-Sharif’s killers: HRF and PCHR bring Israel's war on journalists to the ICC,” Hindrajab Foundation, 2025, https://www.hindrajabfoundation.org/perpetrators/the-hunt-for-anas-al-sharifs-killers-hrf-and-pchr-bring-israels-war-on-journalists-to-the-icc.

“The Guardian view on Anas al-Sharif and Gaza's journalists: Israel is wiping out the witnesses,” The Guardian, editorial, 12 August 2025, https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/aug/12/the-guardian-view-on-anas-al-sharif-and-gazas-journalists-israel-is-wiping-out-the-witnesses.