YouTube takes down, then restores IDF video of airstrike on Gaza terrorists

Video sharing site YouTube removed a video posted by the IDF Spokesman’s Office Saturday morning, claiming it violated the site’s policy on displaying violence. It restored the clip later in the day.

The 50-second video, showing footage of an Israeli airstrike targeting what the IDF said was a Palestinian rocket-launching cell preparing to fire on Israel, was captured from an aircraft above Gaza.

The video is a black-and-white clip taken using a thermal camera, apparently from a jet or a drone flying over the area. It showed three figures removing a long cylindrical object, believed to be a rocket launcher, out of a truck. The video then proceeded to show two figures walking next to a building, followed by a large explosion.

YouTube’s community guidelines state that “Graphic or gratuitous violence is not allowed. If your video shows someone getting hurt, attacked, or humiliated, don’t post it.”

The guidelines further explain that removing a video is not simply a consequence of it being flagged by viewers as inappropriate, but rather that the company chose to take it down after reviewing it. “If we remove your video after reviewing it, you can assume that we removed it purposefully, and you should take our warning notification seriously,” reads the policy.

The video was later restored to YouTube and could also be viewed on the IDF Spokesman’s website.