JERUSALEM (VINnews) — Captured documents found in Gaza have exposed the depth of the relationship between the terrorist organization Hamas and the Qatari-based Al Jazeera news network. A new report by the Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center outlines in detail how the network, controlled by the ruling family in Doha, has for years, and especially during the current war, functioned as an integral part of Hamas’s propaganda, influence, and psychological warfare operations.
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The research, conducted by Avishai Karo, shows that the relationship between Al Jazeera and Hamas is not the result of a temporary interest or random ideological overlap, but rather a long-standing, structured, and coordinated alliance.
Captured Hamas documents detail the transmission of explicit instructions from Hamas’s media operatives to Al Jazeera’s editors and reporters, including detailed directives on how to word news stories so as “not to harm the image of the resistance”
One 2022 document instructs Al Jazeera not to use the word “massacre” in coverage of an incident in Jabalia, in which a rocket misfired by Islamic Jihad resulted in the deaths of Palestinian civilians.The directive emphasized that the network should highlight that the incident was not caused by Israeli strikes, and explicitly stated: “This directive was passed on to Al Jazeera and was positively received by the network’s newsroom management.”
A separate captured document from 2023 reveals that Hamas worked to establish a secure communication line known as the “Al Jazeera Phone”, intended to enable direct coordination between the terrorist group’s emergency military operations room and the Al Jazeera offices in Doha.
According to the document, this line was to be used in emergency situations to ensure that Hamas maintained control over the media coverage of its military wing. The instructions included real-time directives on what to broadcast, what to conceal and which terms to use – all aligned with Hamas’s operational and propaganda interests.
According to the Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center, this document serves as rare evidence of systematic coordination between a terrorist organization and an international news network.
The captured documents also contain evidence that many journalists working for Al Jazeera in Gaza were simultaneously operatives in Hamas’s military wing. Some even took part in the October 7 attacks or accompanied the invading forces into Israeli territory.
Named Individuals Include
- Anas (Anes) al-Sharif, Role: Al Jazeera correspondent in Gaza, Status: Killed in an Israeli airstrike on August 10, 2025
Details: Identified in Hamas records as a military operative in the East Jabaliya Battalion of the Northern Gaza Brigade. Served as a squad leader in the rocket-launching unit, a fighter in the elite Nukhba unit, and head of media operations for the battalion.
- Ismail Abu Amr, Role: Al Jazeera reporter from Khan Younis, Status: Severely wounded in February 2024
Details: Listed as a member of Hamas’s military wing and squad commander in the training unit of the East Khan Younis Battalion. He was among the first to report in real-time on the October 7 attack — strongly suggesting he was tipped off in advance.
- Talal Mahmoud Abd al-Rahman al-Arouqi, Role: Field reporter for “Al Jazeera Mubasher” in Gaza, Status: Seriously injured during an Israeli strike in Nuseirat on November 28, 2024
Details: Identified in a 2023 Hamas list as a group commander with the rank of captain in the “Jerusalem Brigade”, and in another list as a wounded member of the Hamas military wing.
- Hussam Shabat, Role: 24-year-old journalist from Beit Hanoun, collaborated with Al Jazeera Mubasher, Status: Killed in a targeted strike on March 24, 2025
Details: Appeared in Hamas records as a sniper unit member in the Beit Hanoun Battalion. Another document listed him as absent from a battalion military training session.
- Abdullah al-Jamal, Role: Local journalist and photographer, writer and editor at “Palestine Now” who cooperated with Al Jazeera, Status: Killed on June 8, 2024, when Israeli forces rescued three hostages held in his home in Nuseirat
Details: Although Al Jazeera denied having employed him, his profile appears on Al Jazeera English, crediting him with coverage of the 2019 “March of Return” protests.
And what’s new here
We’ve known that for ever
Here is how the next year will play out. Hamas will form a transitory govt with a few loyal technocrats who are subservant to them. They will make believe its not really them and they are just here to assist in the setup. They will give up a few rockets but keep most of their arms. Here and there they will tell the PLJ to attack israeli’s so its not Hamas. No sane country will send troops as peacekeepers into gaza. A few UN arab countires will send a force who is loyal to hamas like UNRWA and the UN in lebanon. Israel won’t withdraw further because Hamas didn’t keep the deal. Meanwhile, Hamas will manipulate the world opinon and present an imgae of being peacemakers. Al Jezzera will present israel as occupiers for not fully withdrawing from gaza. Free plaestine protests will continue worldwide. Follitales will be sent by Greta and Italy to break the occupation. Eventually after a year or 2 Israel will be seen as cruel occupiers blocking vital aid into Gaza as Plaestainins suffer and have to live in tents. Israel will be forced to withdraw its forces and let in cement and building materials so that the poor palestinains who suffer and are under starvation can live in homes. Tunnels and Hamas state of the art HQ’s will then be rebuilt. More or less this is the game. And hisotry repeats itself