Video shows Hamas militants “dressing up as Jewish soldiers” to create propaganda.
Get PolitiFact in your inbox.
Behind-the-scenes footage of short film isn’t Hamas propaganda
If Your Time is short
- This is 2022 behind-the-scenes footage of a Palestinian short film.
A video showing several people standing around camera equipment is being presented as an example of Hamas-produced propaganda following the group’s Oct. 7 attack on Israel.
"These terrorists are dressing up as JEWISH soldiers to create fake videos about Israeli soldiers!" an Oct. 9 Instagram post sharing the video wrote. "Faking Propaganda!"
This post was flagged as part of Meta’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram.)
Featured Fact-check
In reality, this video was shared on TikTok in April 2022 by cinematographer Mohamad Awawdeh. Similar footage shared in June by Awawdeh on Instagram clarified in the caption that this was behind-the-scenes footage of a Palestinian short film about Ahmad Manasra, who has been imprisoned since he was 13 after an attempted murder conviction.
The footage has been used in misinformation before. In 2022, Reuters fact-checked a similar claim that it showed Palestinians staging a fake killing by Israeli soldiers.
We rate claims the video shows Hamas militants making propaganda False.
Our Sources
Instagram post, Oct. 9, 2023
Facebook post, Fact Check-Video of alleged fake Palestinian killing is from a short film, April 27, 2022
YouTube, Empty place Film | فيلم محل فاضي, April 18, 2022
Instagram post, June 30, 2023
TikTok post, April 21, 2022
The Associated Press, Palestinian seeks early release in case that shook Jerusalem, Nov. 10, 2022
Browse the Truth-O-Meter
More by Ciara O'Rourke
Behind-the-scenes footage of short film isn’t Hamas propaganda
Support independent fact-checking.
Become a member!
In a world of wild talk and fake news, help us stand up for the facts.