May 15, 2021 Share
Early Friday, just after midnight, the Israeli military put out an ominous statement to the media: “IDF air and ground troops are currently attacking in the Gaza Strip.”
The terse statement set off frenzied speculation that Israel had launched a ground invasion of Gaza a much-feared scenario that would mark a bloody escalation of this week’s operation against Hamas militants. Some reporters were even told outright the incursion had begun.
Hours later, the military issued a “clarification.” There were no troops inside Gaza. But by then, several major news outlets, including The New York Times, had erroneously reported the ground offensive was under way.
Israel: Journalisten fühlen sich vom Militär manipuliert
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Journalisten fühlen sich vom israelischen Militär manipuliert
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The Israeli military on Friday morning mistakenly briefed the press that it had begun a ground assault in Gaza, almost pushing the crisis to all-out war as it continued to bombard civilian areas in Palestine.
In a message to reporters, later confirmed by an army spokesperson, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) said their âair and ground troops are currently attacking in the Gaza Stripâ, signalling a significant escalation in the conflict.
But little over an hour later the Israeli army clarified that its troops had not entered Gaza and blamed an âinternal communicationâ error. It said there were âno soldiers in Gazaâ.
Israeli military accused of using media to trick Hamas
JOSEF FEDERMAN, Associated Press
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1of8Palestinians inspect their destroyed houses following overnight Israeli airstrikes in town of Beit Hanoun, northern Gaza Strip, Friday, May 14, 2021.Khalil Hamra/APShow MoreShow Less
2of8Palestinians inspect their destroyed houses following overnight Israeli airstrikes in town of Beit Hanoun, northern Gaza Strip, Friday, May 14, 2021.Khalil Hamra/APShow MoreShow Less
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4of8Palestinians inspect their destroyed houses following overnight Israeli airstrikes in town of Beit Hanoun, northern Gaza Strip, Friday, May 14, 2021.Khalil Hamra/APShow MoreShow Less
5of8Palestinians inspect their destroyed houses following overnight Israeli airstrikes in town of Beit Hanoun, northern Gaza Strip, Friday, May 14, 2021.Khalil Hamra/APShow MoreShow Less