Yesterday one of the stories thrust into the mainstream media was nearly simultaneous explosions in a Palestinian neighborhood and at al-Shifa hospital.
The media immediately took the Hamas line that it was Israeli missiles. Later, the IDF stated that it had not fired on those locations, and that the explosions were misfired Hamas or Islamic Jihad missiles.
The media played it as he said, he said.
But an Italian journalist has just left Gaza and is telling the truth about what happened now that he needs not fear Hamas retaliation — Israel was right (h/t Israelly Cool):
How many more of the civilian casualties have been cause by Hamas and Islamic rockets that fell short or misfired? Like Israel says happened at a U.N. school and shelter.
We likely never will know because Hamas is so fast to cover up the scene and intimidates reporters:
The Times of Israel confirmed several incidents in which journalists were questioned and threatened. These included cases involving photographers who had taken pictures of Hamas operatives in compromising circumstances — gunmen preparing to shoot rockets from within civilian structures, and/or fighting in civilian clothing — and who were then approached by Hamas men, bullied and had their equipment taken away.
CAMERA discovered a Wall Street Journal reporter coming to the same conclusion as the Italian reporters, but then deleting the tweet:
The reporter later claimed he deleted it because it was speculative.
This is part of a pattern of western media being intimidated into not reporting all the civilian deaths cause by Hamas, and how Hamas uses locations like al-Shifa hospital.
This tweet showing Hamas using al-Shifa hospital for media interviews was deleted by a Wall Street Journal reporter:
Coincidentally after threats were made on Twitter against that reporter and other reporters:
The reporter did not respond to my email seeking an explanation.
The French Liberation newspaper ran an article by a French-Palestinian journalist about how he was summoned to al-Shira Hospital for interrogation by Hamas — just yards from the operating room:
Here is part of it (Google translation from French):
“ARE YOU A CORRESPONDENT FOR ISRAEL?”A few meters from the emergency room where the injured bombing tributary constantly, it is received in the outpatient department, “a small section of the hospital used as administration” by a band of young fighters. “They were all well dressed, is surprised Radjaa. In civilian with a gun under his shirt and some had walkie talkies ” . He was ordered to empty his pockets, removing his shoes and his belt then it is called in a hospital room “which served that day office of command to three people.”A man prim begins his interrogation: “Who are you? How do you call? What are you doing? ” “I was very surprised by the procedure,” admits Radjaa, who shows him his press card in response. Questions come. Then asked if he speaks Hebrew, he has relations with Ramallah. Young Hamas supporters insist the question: “Are you a correspondent for Israel?” Radjaa repeat that only works for French media and a chain of Algerian radio.It was then that the three men he delivers this message: “This is yours to choose. We are an executive administration. We will carry the message of Qassams. You have to stay at home and give your papers. “Stunned to be covered by the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, Radjaa tries to defend himself and especially to understand why such a decision was taken against him. In vain. “It is impossible to communicate with these people,” laments the journalist. It is not the first to undergo this kind of pressure and combatants in front of him did not hide. “They are enraged against the presidency and accused me of collaborating with Mahmoud Abbas,” he says. Reporters Without Borders confirms that this is not an isolated case. The organization has indeed been alerted by the threats of Hamas against Palestinian and foreign journalists for their professional activities threats.
Now the article has been taken down at the author’s request.
Tablet Magazine has more on the cover up of the use of al-Shifa hospital as a Hamas command center.
Remember how many photos of Hamas fighters and scoops about Hamas tactics we’ve seen from reporters, just like we see with regard to the IDF? Neither do I, it’s as if Hamas doesn’t exist to reporters and all the dead are civilians:
More to follow.
The threats and deleted tweets and information have been known for days if not weeks:
The sourcing has been abysmal:
UPDATE 7-30-2014: UN Official admits Hamas firing rockets “from the vicinity of UN facilities”
Same reporter then gets upset, Finnish reporter confirms rocket fire from hospital but furious people quoted her
[Featured Image Source: IDF Twitter}
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