Witnesses and journalists disputed the claims, confirming that the individuals in the targeted vehicle were humanitarian workers, photographers, and journalists [Getty]
A new report published by Gaza’s government media office has accused Israel of using false claims to justify its deadly attack in Beit Lahia, where at least nine people were killed, including three journalists and aid workers on a charity mission for the UK-based al-Khair Foundation.
The Israeli military claimed the strike had targeted two “terrorists” operating a drone that allegedly posed a threat to their forces. In a follow-up statement, Israel named six individuals it alleged were members of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. The statement further claimed that some of those killed had been working “under the cover of journalists.”
However, witnesses and journalists disputed the claims, confirming that the individuals in the targeted vehicle were humanitarian workers, photographers, and journalists.
Gaza’s government media office rejected Israel’s allegations, accusing it of fabricating details to mislead public opinion.
Israel has regularly claimed that individuals it targets are “terrorists,” even when evidence later reveals them to be civilians, aid workers, or journalists.
Referencing this pattern, Gaza’s government media office said the Beit Lahia attack followed a similar pattern of fabrications.
“The Beit Lahia massacre proves once again that the army and its leaders commit the crime and then weave lies and fabrications inspired by their sick criminal imagination,” a spokesperson for Gaza’s government media office said.
The report added that Israel published an image of one of the alleged victims, identified as Bilal Abu Matar, which was later proven not to be him. It also claimed that Mahmoud Islim, whom Israel reported as killed, is in fact still alive.
Similarly, Suhaib al-Najjar, another person named by Israel as among the dead, was not one of those killed. Another individual, Mohammed al-Ghafir, was also reported killed but is still alive, the report stated.
In yet another case, Mustafa Hammad, whom Israel claimed was a media figure and activist linked to the victims, was neither part of the crew at the time nor involved in aid work or journalism.
The media office described the Israeli military’s actions as “premeditated” and “deliberate”, noting that the targeted car had been pursued and bombed twice, despite the Israeli army allegedly being aware of the relief mission.
“It is with great sadness and regret that we announce the demise in Gaza of eight of our team’s dedicated humanitarian aid workers,” the al-Khair Foundation said in a statement.
“They were killed in violation of the agreed ceasefire in a drone airstrike. The exact circumstances are still being established, but we refute utterly any suggestion that those who were killed were militant or in any way connected with Hamas.”
This is not the first time Israel has faced accusations of distorting facts after fatal attacks.
In May 2022, Israeli forces killed veteran Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh during a raid in Jenin. Despite overwhelming evidence and eyewitness accounts confirming she was targeted while wearing a press vest, Israel initially claimed she was caught in crossfire before later admitting responsibility.
In 2018, Israeli forces shot and killed Palestinian paramedic Razan al-Najjar while she was aiding wounded protesters near the Gaza border. Israel first claimed she was acting as a “human shield” for fighters before video evidence showed her clearly marked as medical personnel, moving away from the frontlines.
In July 2014, during Israel’s assault on Gaza, four boys playing football on a beach were killed by an strike. Israel initially claimed the strike targeted “Hamas operatives”, but journalists who witnessed the incident confirmed the victims were children playing near the shoreline.
