Israel’s military has formed a special unit aimed at portraying Gaza-based journalists as members of Hamas or other armed groups, according to an investigation by the Tel Aviv-based outlet +972 Magazine.
The unit, called the “Legitimisation Cell,” was reportedly created to gather and disseminate information that could be used to discredit journalists critical of Israel’s actions. Three unnamed Israeli intelligence sources told +972 that the initiative was driven by public relations considerations rather than genuine security concerns.
The sources said the unit regularly shared its findings with US officials through direct channels. In at least one case since the start of the war, the unit allegedly manipulated intelligence to falsely depict a journalist as a member of Hamas’s military wing.
The report points to a “pattern of manipulation” in the intelligence presented about Al Jazeera correspondent Anas al-Sharif, who was killed along with five other journalists after Israel accused him of being a Hamas operative. Similar allegations were made against Al Jazeera journalist Ismail al-Ghoul, who was also killed in an Israeli strike.
According to the investigation, the Legitimisation Cell’s work reflects a broader strategy of undermining critical media coverage of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
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