The strategic dissemination of misinformation and staged propaganda has been a notable tactic employed by Palestinian activists, particularly through platforms such as the "Gaza Now" Telegram channel. Initially, this network focused on distributing misleading or out-of-context stories portraying alleged abuses of Palestinians in Gaza by Israel, a claim made despite Israel's absence from the Strip. The channel's influence and following saw a significant surge following the events of "Black Saturday," when Hamas initiated a ruthless attack on Israel, positioning "Gaza Now" as a prominent source of information.
This increase in attention prompted a sophisticated international response involving government agencies and an Israeli intelligence firm, INTELEYE, known for its expertise in navigating the complexities of the dark web and encrypted communications. This collaboration led to the targeted elimination of Mohammed Ayyash, a key figure within the "Gaza Now" operation based in Gaza, referred to as a "journalist" by his supporters, and the arrest of his brother, Mustafa Ayyash, in Austria. These actions delivered a critical blow to the operations and reach of the "Gaza Now" network.
Palestinian Journalist Mustafa Ayyash and founder of @GazaNow, reportedly being killed by Israel (by the @UN, as well as by Palestinian sources) has miraculously appeared, alive and well in Europe. Miraculously, he was just arrested in Austria for fundraising for Hamas. pic.twitter.com/6291VEg4Ag
ā Eretz Israel (@EretzIsrael) April 2, 2024
On October 7, as Israel grappled with the sudden onslaught by Hamas, "Gaza Now" filled the informational void with alarming propaganda content, including videos of terrorists targeting civilian areas and glorifying violence. The channel, boasting 1.8 million followers, advanced Hamas's narrative, mixing authentic footage with manipulated content to support fundraising efforts for the group's activities.
INTELEYE played a pivotal role in identifying the individuals behind "Gaza Now." The firm's unique ability to link digital footprints across the dark web and messaging platforms unveiled the Ayyash brothers as the masterminds. The detailed investigation into their online activities, including cryptocurrency transactions, exposed their efforts to financially support terrorist activities in Gaza. "Gaza Now" had used every opportunity to raise money for what they claimed were the 'poor victims' of Gaza, however it had been suspected that the money that had been given via crypto currency were only funding the Gaza Now operations - and assisting the terror netowrks in Gaza. Now, with much of that having been disrupted, a key funding source has been rendered useless.
I can't believe the U.N. made things up. Just can't believe it. https://t.co/Pdh9wsgFvx
ā Melissa Weiss (@melissaeweiss) March 29, 2024
The assassination of Mohammed Ayyash in Gaza and the subsequent sanctions and arrest of Mustafa Ayyash in Austria have significantly hampered the operations of "Gaza Now." Despite initial disruptions, the network's activities have been substantially reduced, although some efforts to revive its presence persist. The channel's portrayal as an independent news source exposing a Palestinian "genocide" has been critically challenged by these developments.
"Our advantage is piecing together information across the dark web and messaging apps to unmask the person on the other end," Ziv Hava, an INTELEYE co-founder, explained after his company helped crack down on the terrorist group's Gaza Now Telegram channel.ā¦
ā Israel Hayom English (@IsraelHayomEng) April 9, 2024
The concerted efforts of Israeli and international bodies have not only impacted "Gaza Now" but have also led to the shutdown of other digital platforms associated with the network. Ziv Hava, co-founder of INTELEYE, expressed satisfaction with the outcome, emphasizing the importance of continuing such surveillance and intervention efforts to protect Israel from terrorist threats. This ongoing vigilance underscores the commitment to countering misinformation and supporting national security interests.
