Experts Caution Video Alleging Hamas Threat on Olympics is Likely Fake
As France gears up for the 2024 Olympic Games, a video claiming to show Hamas threatening an attack on the event has surfaced on social media, raising alarms and prompting investigations. However, experts and officials are cautioning that the video is likely a fabrication, part of a broader disinformation campaign.
The Video and Its Claims
The controversial video, which began circulating on platforms like Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) on July 23, 2024, features an individual obscured by a keffiyeh and adorned in a top with the Palestinian flag. The speaker, subtitled in English, purportedly threatens "rivers of blood" in response to the presence of Israeli athletes at the Olympics, while condemning French support for Israel in its ongoing conflict with Hamas.
Official Responses
In light of the video, French security forces have heightened their alert levels, preparing for potential threats as the country hosts the Olympics for the first time in a century. The French Interior Ministry has stated that it could not verify the video's authenticity, with Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin confirming that intelligence services have been unable to authenticate the claims made in the clip.
Hamas has outright denied any involvement with the video, labeling it as a product of "Zionist propaganda" aimed at inciting hostility against the Palestinian resistance. This denial was echoed by Izzat al-Rishq, a senior Hamas official based in Qatar.
Disinformation Campaign
Experts have pointed out that the accounts sharing the video are predominantly linked to pro-Russian networks, raising suspicions about the origins of the clip. Darmanin noted that many of the accounts disseminating the video were either pro-Kremlin or pro-Russian, although he refrained from directly attributing the operation to the Russian state.
David Colon, a researcher focused on foreign interference, highlighted that one of the most widely shared posts originated from a pro-Russian account, suggesting a coordinated effort to spread disinformation.
Analysis of the Video's Authenticity
Linguistic analysis of the video has revealed multiple grammatical errors in the Arabic spoken by the individual, leading many to question its credibility. An Arabic-speaking journalist noted that the pronunciation of key phrases was inconsistent with typical Hamas propaganda, further casting doubt on the video's authenticity.
Security experts have suggested that the video may be part of a "false flag" operation, a tactic where attackers disguise their identities to mislead opponents and escalate tensions. This aligns with the broader context of disinformation tactics often employed in geopolitical conflicts.
Conclusion
As the Olympic Games approach, the focus remains on ensuring the safety and security of all participants. The emergence of this video serves as a reminder of the challenges posed by disinformation in the digital age, particularly in politically charged environments. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, emphasizing the importance of verifying information before drawing conclusions.