A joint investigation by Israeli outlets +972 Magazine and Local Call has revealed the existence of a secret Israeli military intelligence unit known as the “Legitimization Cell”, created to discredit Palestinian journalists in Gaza by falsely linking them to Hamas, thereby justifying their killings and minimizing international backlash.

According to three intelligence sources cited in the report, the unit was established shortly after October 7, 2023, and has operated with the primary goal of propaganda—not security. Its mission: to sustain Israel’s international legitimacy during its military campaign in Gaza and ensure continued U.S. military support, including weapons deliveries.

The unit reportedly scoured Gaza for intelligence that could be selectively declassified and used to counter growing global outrage over the deaths of journalists. A recurring tactic involved identifying one reporter with alleged ties to Hamas and publicizing those claims to deflect criticism over broader media casualties. “If the global media is talking about Israel killing innocent journalists, then immediately there’s a push to find one journalist who might not be so innocent,” said one intelligence source.

Among the cases highlighted is Anas Al-Sharif, a well-known Al Jazeera journalist killed in a recent airstrike. Israeli officials claimed he had been a Hamas militant between 2013 and 2017, though no verifiable evidence has been presented. Another case involves Ismail Al-Ghoul, killed in July 2024, whom Israel accused of holding a Hamas military rank in 2007—when he was just 10 years old.

Sources confirmed that the Legitimization Cell regularly transmitted manipulated intelligence to Washington through direct channels. The aim was to maintain support for Israel’s military operations and blunt criticism from international media and human rights organizations.

The investigation also revealed that the unit treated the media as an extension of the battlefield, with political leaders often directing the army on which narratives to pursue. Intelligence officers were instructed to find material—such as Hamas weapons in schools or failed rocket launches—that could be used to bolster Israel’s image abroad.

Since October 2023, more than 238 journalists and media workers have been killed in Gaza, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). Alternative counts place the number closer to 270, making it the deadliest conflict for journalists since CPJ began tracking in 1992. Dozens more have been injured, arrested, or disappeared.

Human rights advocates warn that the deliberate targeting of journalists and the use of intelligence to justify such actions may constitute war crimes. The revelations have sparked calls for independent investigations and greater scrutiny of Israel’s military conduct in Gaza.

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