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IDF Exposes Six Al-Jazeera Journalists as Hamas, Islamic Jihad Terrorists
Latest Developments
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) shared evidence on October 23 exposing six Al-Jazeera “journalists” as Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) terrorists. The documents, which the IDF seized in Gaza, include “personnel tables, lists of terrorist training courses, phone directories, and salary documents” and reveal the “military affiliation” of four Al-Jazeera Gaza correspondents with Hamas and two with PIJ. Hamas and PIJ are both U.S.-designated terrorist organizations. The IDF released a second trove of documents on October 24 showing how “Hamas directs Al Jazeera’s media coverage to serve its own interests,” such as instructing the network to whitewash failed attacks.
Al-Jazeera is owned by the Qatari government and effectively functions as Doha’s media mouthpiece. The network regularly lionizes the violent activities of Hamas and has allegedly aided terrorists in Gaza. In October, Israeli Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi’s office said it had “proof” that Al-Jazeera reporters were “passing sensitive information to the enemy” about IDF troop locations. Since the war began in Gaza, the IDF has also exposed numerous Al-Jazeera correspondents who moonlit as terrorists. In February, the IDF revealed that Al-Jazeera correspondents Muhammed Wishah and Ismail Abu Omar served as Hamas military commanders. Abu Omar filmed himself participating in Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attacks. The IDF subsequently revealed that Al-Jazeera correspondent Ismail al-Ghoul was a member of Hamas’s elite Nukhba force who also took part in the October 7 massacre.
On April 1, the Israeli Knesset passed a wartime emergency law that enables the 45-day closure of foreign media outlets deemed to be endangering national security and allows renewing such closures after the term expires. Israeli authorities shut down Al-Jazeera’s Jerusalem bureau in May and instituted a 35-day ban on the channel. In June, the Israeli government extended the ban for an additional 45 days.
Al-Jazeera claimed that Israel’s latest evidence against its journalists was “fabricated,” “a blatant attempt to silence the few remaining journalists in the region,” and “part of a wider pattern of hostility” towards the Qatari network.
Expert Analysis
“With the evidence against Al-Jazeera mounting, Washington should redouble its efforts to hold the Qatari network accountable. That means forcing Al-Jazeera’s operation in the United States to comply with U.S. law and register as a foreign agent, as well as revoking the network’s press credentials until it severs ties with terrorist organizations. For too long, Al-Jazeera has exploited press freedom to harm American interests and allies.” — Natalie Ecanow, FDD Research Analyst
“Al-Jazeera has served as a highly effective propaganda platform for Hamas over the past year, amplifying the group’s influence and bolstering its popularity among Arab audiences. Through its so-called military experts and analysts, Al-Jazeera has constructed a deceptive narrative of resilience and victory for Hamas, misleading viewers into believing that the group is succeeding in the conflict. In reality, the network deliberately cuts interviews with ordinary Gazans who criticize Hamas and Qatar. Moreover, Al-Jazeera exclusively broadcasts Hamas statements and operations against the IDF and has garnered endorsements from other terrorist organizations. This channel has deeply impacted the perceptions of many viewers and will continue to do so as long as it operates without accountability.”
Ahmad Sharawi, FDD Research Analyst