Since the first moments of the conflict between Israel and Hamas, the two sides have engaged in a fierce media war. Communication has become an essential battlefield for influencing international public opinion and gaining advantage over the adversary.
Each side uses very different strategies to project an image of flawless confidence. Hamas, for example, chose to film and broadcast scenes of violence and abuses against Israeli civilians in real time. These shocking images quickly made the rounds on social networks and were covered by media around the world. The objective was clear: to show a weakened Israeli territory suffering heavy losses.
On the Israeli side, the IDF army was very responsive in its communication. She used images broadcast by Hamas to demonstrate the violence and horror of the latter. The aim was also to arouse pity and curb Hamas propaganda. However, Israel faced the difficulty of controlling the effect that these images could create.
In this conflict, the truth becomes a complex issue. Limited access for journalists to the Gaza Strip makes it difficult to verify information. Furthermore, passions are so strong that everyone tends to lock themselves in their own truth.
It is therefore essential to analyze events with a critical eye, not to be influenced by shocking images, but to take a step back to understand the real issues of this conflict. It is up to the media and experts to provide factual and balanced analyzes to enlighten public opinion.
Ultimately, the media war between Israel and Hamas highlights the importance of communication in contemporary conflicts. Both parties compete in ingenuity to influence perceptions and international sympathy. It is therefore essential to be aware of these strategies and to keep a critical eye on the information that reaches us.