Several news outlets have accused the Dubai-based Al Arabiya channel of spreading misleading propaganda regarding the sons of the leader of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, after their deaths in the Gaza Strip due to an Israeli airstrike that targeted their car.
The media outlets detailed Al Arabiya’s alleged involvement in disseminating propaganda, that has subsequently been used by media outlets affiliated with Israel.
Al Arabiya had previously dedicated significant news coverage to reports of Haniyeh’s sons leaving Gaza via the Rafah crossing to Turkey, suggesting their father had arranged a “business empire” for them there. This information stemmed from an Israeli news site, claiming that “while Palestinians besieged in Gaza suffer the horrors of war, Hamas leaders and their children enjoy luxury in Turkey and Qatar.”
After featuring the story prominently in one of its news bulletins, Al Arabiya later confirmed on Wednesday the deaths of Hamas leader’s sons in an Israeli airstrike.
On Wednesday, the Palestinian Shehab News Agency confirmed the deaths of Ismail Haniyeh’s three sons and several of his grandchildren: Hazem Ismail Haniyeh and his daughter Amal, Amir Ismail Haniyeh and his son Khalid and daughter Rizan, and Mohammed Ismail Haniyeh.