Israeli Military Accused of Using Media to Trick Hamas
Voice of America
JERUSALEM - Early Friday, just after midnight, the Israeli military put out an ominous statement to the media: “IDF air and ground troops are currently attacking in the Gaza Strip.”
The terse statement set off frenzied speculation that Israel had launched a ground invasion of Gaza — a much-feared scenario that would mark a bloody escalation of this week’s operation against Hamas militants. Some reporters were even told outright the incursion had begun. Hours later, the military issued a “clarification.” There were no troops inside Gaza. But by then, several major news outlets, including The New York Times, had erroneously reported the ground offensive was under way. While the army attempted to play down the incident as a misunderstanding, well-placed Israeli military commentators said the media had been used as part of an elaborate ruse to lure Hamas militants into a deadly trap that may have killed dozens of fighters.A man takes a photograph of the election results at the National Results Operation Centre of the IEC in Midrand, South Africa, June 2, 2024. African National Congress (ANC) secretary-general, Fikile Mbalula, briefs the media on results of the elections at the Results Operation Centre in Midland, Johannesburg, June 2, 2024.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks during the 21st Shangri-La Dialogue summit at the Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore, June 2, 2024. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, right, shakes hand with Malaysian Defense Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin, left, and Singaporean Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen at the 21st Shangri-La Dialogue summit at the Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore, June 2, 2024.
Supporters of the ruling Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) hold cutouts of India's Prime Minister and their leader, Narendra Modi, as they shout slogans during an election campaign rally in Amritsar on May 30, 2024. A man watching television waits for the release of exit polls published after voting concludes during its seventh and final phase amid India's general election, at an appliance store in Ajmer on June 1, 2024.
FILE - In this photo provided by Jeonbuk Fire Headquarters, balloons with trash presumably sent by North Korea hang on electric wires as South Korean army soldiers stand guard in Muju, South Korea, May 29, 2024. This photo provided by Incheon Fire Headquarters shows balloons with trash presumably sent by North Korea, in Incheon, South Korea, June 2, 2024.
FILE - A target is hit with artillery fire as U.S and Moroccan military forces take part in the 20th edition of the African Lion military exercise, in Tantan, south of Agadir, Morocco, May 31, 2024 FILE - Members of the Moroccan Royal Armed Forces stand guard as they take part in the 20th edition of the African Lion military exercise, in Tantan, south of Agadir, Morocco, May 31, 2024. FILE - Gen. Michael Langley, USMC, Commander, U.S. Africa Command, center, and Major Gen. Mohammed Berrid, Inspector General of Moroccan Royal Armed Forces, attend the African Lion military exercise, in Tantan, Morocco, May 31, 2024. FILE - Members of the Moroccan Royal Armed Forces take part in the 20th edition of the African Lion military exercise, in Tantan, south of Agadir, Morocco, May 31, 2024. FILE - F16 fighter jets perform a maneuver as part of the African Lion military exercise, over Tantan, south of Agadir, Morocco, May 31, 2024.
People march during a rally in support of Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and his party in Budapest, Hungary, June 1, 2024. Orbán with 14 years in power is the European Union's longest serving leader. Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán addresses people as they gather to support him and his party during a 'peace march' in Budapest, Hungary, June 1, 2024. People march during a rally in support of Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and his party in Budapest, Hungary, June 1, 2024.