The current conflict between Hamas and Israel has unfortunately led to a wave of disinformation on social media. In particular, many Indian accounts on However, this is actually fake news.
These fake videos were widely shared and accumulated hundreds of thousands of views. Indian Internet users who posted them claim that Palestinians use makeup and fake injuries to manipulate public opinion. But thanks to a reverse image search, it is possible to trace these videos back to their true origin.
Indeed, these are actually images taken from a film shoot organized by Médecins du Monde in 2017 in Gaza. These videos are therefore diverted from their context to spread false accusations against the Palestinians. It is a manipulation of information that seeks to discredit the Palestinian cause and sow confusion among Internet users.
This disinformation campaign is not only limited to India but is also seen in other South Asian countries. Twitter accounts presenting themselves as Indian massively distribute copy-pasted content, posted in rapid succession to give the illusion of wide distribution. This strategy aims to influence public opinion and sow doubt about current events.
According to an investigation carried out by the research institute DFR Lab, this disinformation campaign is part of the Indian elections scheduled for spring 2024. The accounts which share these false videos are mainly favorable to the Hindu nationalist party of Prime Minister Narendra Modi , the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This disinformation therefore aims to strengthen their position by demonizing Muslims, regularly stigmatized by the Indian government.
It is essential to remain vigilant against these attempts to manipulate information. By verifying sources, using good judgment and favoring trusted media, we can help combat the spread of misinformation and promote a better understanding of current events.