Hamas warns Gazans against ‘spreading rumors’ that help Israel

Interior Ministry says government is providing the media with all ‘needed information’

Elhanan Miller is the former Arab affairs reporter for The Times of Israel

Interior ministry spokesman for the Hamas-run government, Ihab al-Ghussein, speaks during a press conference about the arrest of alleged spies for Israel responsible for the deaths of scores of the Islamist movement's fighters, in Gaza City on September 23, 2010 (Wissam Nassar/Flash90)
Interior ministry spokesman for the Hamas-run government, Ihab al-Ghussein, speaks during a press conference about the arrest of alleged spies for Israel responsible for the deaths of scores of the Islamist movement's fighters, in Gaza City on September 23, 2010 (Wissam Nassar/Flash90)

The Hamas government in Gaza warned its citizens Saturday against spreading rumors which may serve a ‘psychological war’ waged by Israeli intelligence.

“The criminal Zionist enemy uses all forms of military, psychological and information warfare in its barbaric aggression,” read a notice posted on the website of Hamas’s ministry of interior.

The Shin Bet security service, Israel’s internal intelligence agency, continuously uses such methods to fragment Palestinian society, the message claimed. It warned civilians against passing on information received without a source, claiming that such behavior harmed Palestinian national security.

Interior Ministry spokesman Major Islam Shahwan said that his ministry conveyed any “needed information” to the media in a bid to “safeguard the truth.”

On Friday, a Gaza resident was summarily executed after admitting collaboration with Israel in a documentary film released by the Interior Ministry in September.

Ashraf Ouaida was shot multiple times in the head; his body left on a Gaza street under a sign accusing him of involvement in the death of 15 Palestinian leaders.

Most Popular
read more:
If you’d like to comment, join
The Times of Israel Community.
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.