Experts say Hamas ‘weaponizing the media’ with hostage spectacle

January 26, 2025 by Sveta Listratov
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Experts denounced Hamas for parading four soldiers across a stage in front of thousands of Palestinians on Saturday before handing them over to the Red Cross as part of a ceasefire.

Liri Elbag, Karina Ariev, Daniela Gilboa and Naama Levy on stage at the Hamas press conference before being handed over to the Red Cross. The girls were kidnapped out of uniform

“Hamas is weaponizing the media with these spectacles, attempting to turn psychological warfare into their greatest asset,” Menashe Nahum, an expert on Middle Eastern geopolitics told The Press Service of Israel. Nahum, an independent lecturer on security issues, has extensive experience managing Israel’s high-security prisons where high-profile Hamas terrorists were held.

He predicted that just like the release of the first three hostages on Jan. 19, future releases will also feature propaganda ploys.

On Saturday afternoon, Liri Albag, 19, Daniella Gilboa, 20, Naama Levi, 20, and Karina Ariev, 20, were made to wear olive green clothes resembling army uniforms and brought to a stage in Gaza City featuring signs with slogans such as “Palestine: The victory of the oppressed people vs the Nazi Zionism.”

The hostages were flanked by masked men clad in Hamas uniforms, all armed. Hamas released a video in which the four soldiers spoke Arabic, expressing gratitude to their captors for the “excellent treatment” they received. They were also carrying “gift bags.” Three hostages freed on Sunday received similar bags, which contained “certificates” and photos.

“This deliberate misrepresentation exemplifies Hamas’ efforts to stage manage every aspect of their operations for maximum psychological impact,” Dor Shachar, a former Khan Yunis resident, told TPS-IL. Shachar escaped from his home and converted to Judaism over two decades ago.

“The scripted nature of this video uncovers Hamas’ intention to control the narrative and manipulate public perception, not just within Gaza, but on the global stage,” Shachar insisted.

Nahum called the event “a theatrical production designed to dominate the global news cycle.”

He explained, “Hamas understands the power of communication. They craft these cruel yet creative spectacles to ensure they capture headlines, competing for attention amidst global issues like the Ukraine war or other international crises. Their goal is to shift the narrative—turning global empathy from the October 7 victims to the plight of Palestinians in Gaza.”

Dr. Gilad Bodenheimer, head of the Israeli Health Ministry’s Mental Health Department warned of the psychological toll such displays can take on the Israeli public. He urged citizens to exercise caution when exposing themselves to graphic images and videos.

“These displays are designed to inflict emotional harm. We recommend limiting exposure to such footage and focusing instead on moments of hope and joy. Be mindful of the psychological effects on yourselves and your loved ones,” he said.

Said Shachar, “The imagery is carefully curated to depict these young women as soldiers when we know they were kidnapped from their beds in civilian clothes. This is not just about psychological warfare—it’s about rewriting the story for the world to see.”

Shachar also pointed to the symbolism behind the captives’ coerced participation in a “release ceremony” staged by Hamas, during which they were made to wave and smile at a crowd of armed men.

“They were taken from their beds, stripped of their dignity, and used as pawns in a propaganda war. It’s a painful reminder of the brutality we are facing,” he stressed.

Said Nahum, “While we, as a Western society, value life, creativity, and progress, they operate under a mindset that glorifies power and cruelty. They study us, learn from us, and use our values against us.”

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