Al-Thawabta: Gaza Has Redefined War Journalism and Won the Narrative Battle (Exclusive)

Dr. Ismail al-Thawabta, Director General of the Government Media Office in Gaza, declared that Palestinian media, in its defense against the Israeli occupation, has decisively triumphed in the battle for truth, underscoring that the truth will always prevail.

In an interview with Al-Estiklal, al-Thawabta said the Israeli narrative relied on lies and deception, failing to convince the world except for what he described as “hypocrites” who wanted to believe it without evidence or professionalism.

He highlighted that during the genocide on Gaza, Palestinian journalists were not mere reporters but became part of the story, facing direct targeting and sharing the suffering of their people and loved ones.

Al-Thawabta pointed out that after Operation al-Aqsa Flood, the Israeli Occupation considered journalists as legitimate military targets, confiscating their equipment and attempting to eliminate them to suppress the truth.

He noted the risks of practicing journalism during such a brutal war, which has claimed the lives of many journalists. He also shed light on the unique challenges of covering massacres in hospitals, schools, and shelters, emphasizing the importance of documenting victim numbers, injuries, and the weapons used in these attacks.

Al-Thawabta further explained how the Israeli Occupation deliberately targets digital journalists in Gaza, who document the Israeli atrocities in detail, by shutting down their accounts and restricting their activities.

Dr. Ismail al-Thawabta, a Palestinian journalist, serves as Director General of the Government Media Office in Gaza, which functions as the Ministry of Information for the region, regularly providing updates on the numbers of martyrs, the wounded, and the humanitarian situation.

At the Heart of the Conflict

How has media coverage evolved after nearly 16 months of war?

The discussion on this subject evokes deep emotions. Practicing journalism in Gaza has become an act of courage and sacrifice.

Today, journalism is not merely about reporting news but serves as the first line of defense against attempts to obscure the truth. Palestinian journalists in Gaza operate under extraordinary and perilous conditions, facing direct targeting and deliberate killings [more than 195 journalists were killed during Operation al-Aqsa Flood].

They endure the loss of equipment, the destruction of media offices, and constant disruptions to electricity and internet services. Despite this, they persist with unmatched bravery, fulfilling their professional and ethical duties in ways unparalleled globally.

Journalists are no longer mere witnesses to events; they have become part of the story, risking their lives every time they document crimes or convey new suffering caused by the Israeli Occupation.

Under these circumstances, local media has emerged as a primary and reliable source of information, especially as the Israeli Occupation seeks to impose a complete media blackout.

Since the beginning of 2023, up until now, these months have marked the darkest chapter in Palestinian journalism's history, and one of the most tragic periods in the history of journalism globally; in fact, one of the darkest periods in the history of journalism worldwide.

It was a year fraught with immense challenges and profound pain for Palestinian journalists, as the Israeli Occupation intensified its efforts to suppress the truth, restrict press freedom, and deliberately target journalists in Gaza.

How Has the Israeli Occupation Treated Government Media in Gaza After al-Aqsa Flood?

Following the onset of the genocide, the Israeli Occupation targeted government media in Gaza as a legitimate military objective. All government media offices were bombed, journalists were attacked, and four media personnel were killed. Simultaneously, direct incitement was waged against us.

This incitement included veiled threats against me personally, as the Director General of the Government Media Office, appearing in statements and videos issued by the Israeli military. The Israeli Occupation also sought to impose a systematic media blackout on our just cause.

This behavior underscores the occupation's fear of free speech, truthful imagery, and undeniable facts that expose its crimes to the world.

The Israeli Occupation imposed tight restrictions on international media, barred foreign journalists from entering Gaza, and sought to control the narrative reaching the global audience.

It also employed a strategy of misinformation, spreading fake and fabricated news to undermine the credibility of media outlets reporting on the atrocities in Gaza.

Has al-Aqsa Flood reshaped the way media works in Gaza, and what new insights has it brought to the profession?

The experience of journalism and media work following the genocide has redefined the concept of war journalism. In Gaza, journalists have become more than just field reporters; they are individuals living the pain and suffering, activists defending justice, and at times, even lifesavers.

This experience has infused journalism with a profound humanitarian dimension, reinforcing the role of media as a tool for resistance and a means to expose the truth to the world. Media work has also become more organized and coordinated, with the emergence of collective documentation initiatives involving partnerships between local and international media organizations.

Palestinian journalists have shown remarkable adaptability and creativity in finding alternative ways to report events, despite the severe challenges facing media work in Gaza.

You mentioned that covering deliberate massacres in schools or hospitals is different. What do you mean?

When the Israeli Occupation army targets schools, hospitals, shelters, or other civilian facilities, the objective goes beyond merely bombing a site. These institutions serve as safe havens for civilians. Documenting these crimes demands immense effort, given the widespread destruction and limited access. The overall devastation in Gaza has reached 86%, with vital sectors obliterated.

Media coverage highlights the horrific and inhumane nature of these acts through direct reporting and live imagery. In these cases, even the smallest detail carries immense importance—be it a survivor’s testimony, a harrowing image, a video, or footage capturing the first moments of the bombing.

Coverage also emphasizes the broader context of these massacres, showcasing the repeated patterns of Israeli army attacks on civilian and vital facilities.

What’s your take on the recent laws passed by the Israeli Knesset that affect the work of foreign media in occupied Palestine?

These laws represent a blatant attempt to impose strict censorship on media coverage and monopolize the narrative of events in favor of the Israeli Occupation. They constitute a clear violation of press freedom and a direct threat to professional journalism.

The laws impose movement restrictions, censor media content prior to publication, and prevent journalists from accessing specific sites. They also threaten foreign journalists with the revocation of work permits and the denial of entry to Gaza.

How do you describe the current situation for journalists in Gaza?

The situation for journalists in Gaza is dire and unprecedented. Over the past 16 months, they have faced unimaginable dangers and atrocities.

Palestinian journalists work under extremely harsh and dangerous conditions, including a lack of field safety, inadequate technical equipment, and mounting psychological pressures from losing colleagues to deliberate and brutal Israeli airstrikes.

The primary threats they face include direct targeting during coverage, deliberate killings, electronic surveillance, and security threats. The ongoing blockade also hinders their ability to develop tools and skills, further burdening them as foreign journalists are barred from entering Gaza.

Despite all this, Palestinian journalists continue to work with a deep sense of responsibility, striving to convey the unfiltered reality to the world, from the farthest east and north to the farthest west and south.

The Future of Media in Gaza

How do you envision the future of media in Gaza once the war is over?

Media in Gaza will emerge stronger and more resilient after the war, continuing to serve as an honest voice for conveying the suffering of the Palestinian people.

It is expected that the media infrastructure will improve, and the professional expertise of journalists in Gaza will grow, building on the intense experiences they have endured. Media institutions in Gaza are likely to receive increased local and international support, particularly in training and technical resources.

There will also be an urgent need to establish robust media networks capable of exerting global influence, especially in light of unprecedented developments shaping the world's media landscape.

‘Israel’ attempts to suppress pro-Palestine posts. What is the role of digital journalism in this regard?

Palestinian journalists have successfully leveraged social media as a vital tool in this context.

Israel is fully aware of the power of digital journalism and social networks in breaking the media siege it tries to impose on the Palestinian people and press. Consequently, it actively collaborates with social media platforms to shut down influential accounts and restrict content supporting the Palestinian cause. Despite these efforts, social media remains an effective platform for exposing the truth.

This suppression is accompanied by increased violations against Palestinian journalists, ranging from direct targeting during coverage to restrictions on freedom of expression through various media outlets and the destruction of press institutions.

Despite these challenges, Palestinian journalists have demonstrated extraordinary resilience, sharing the suffering of their people with the world despite ongoing risks.

Not long ago, Israel portrayed itself as the victim, while Palestinians were cast as aggressors in the global narrative, especially in Europe and the United States.

However, thanks to Palestinian journalists and social media, the world now sees the undeniable truth: the Palestinian people are the victims, and Israel, with its army, is the war criminal.

The recent global outcry, particularly in Europe and the United States, with millions chanting ‘Freedom for Palestine’ and calling for an end to the Israeli occupation, underscores this shift in perception.

Who changed global public opinion? Who delivered this truth to the world? It is the efforts of Palestinian media and journalism.

Going forward, it is crucial to enhance collaborative efforts between journalists and media institutions to counteract Israeli restrictions and develop innovative strategies for reaching audiences worldwide.

Truth Prevails

‘Israel’ seeks to propagate lies about the massacres it commits in Gaza. How do you counter this using the available tools?

We exert tremendous and continuous efforts, working around the clock to counter Israel's lies through systematic media efforts rooted in documentation and transparency.

We use every available means to convey the truth, collaborating with international partners and independent journalists to expose Israel's deceit, treachery, and ongoing war crimes.

By relying on survivor testimonies and material evidence, we dismantle Israel's fabricated narratives. To a significant extent, we've succeeded in influencing global public opinion, rallying international support for our people's resilience, and passionately defending our just cause.

What is your assessment of global engagement with Israel’s narrative about the war?

Despite Israel's dominance over certain global media outlets, the Palestinian narrative has shattered this monopoly through continuous field reporting and significant engagement on social media platforms.

Ongoing documentation and collaboration with independent journalists have made a considerable impact in amplifying the voice of truth.

Frankly, we have demolished Israel’s narrative, casting it aside as irrelevant to the free world.

However, in the hypocritical circles that align with Israel despite its injustices, their narratives remain pre-prepared and biased, ready to dismiss the Palestinian story without evidence.

Even so, this reality is gradually fading. The final and strongest voice belongs to the Palestinian narrative, while Israel’s fabrications are on the verge of extinction.

How do you see the media coverage of the prisoner exchange agreements carried out at the start of the war [November 2023]?

The coverage of prisoner exchange agreements highlighted the stark differences between how Palestinian resistance and Israel treat prisoners.

The resistance adhered to the highest standards of ethical and humane conduct, while the criminal Israeli Occupation continued its inhumane violations against Palestinian detainees in its oppressive jails.

This contrast resonated globally, with images and firsthand accounts revealing the vast disparities between the two sides. This particular round in the media battle was a resounding victory for us.