Gaza’s Media Office Exposes Israeli Military’s False Claims on Beit Lahia Massacre

After Israel's attack killed nine Palestinians, including aid workers and journalists, in Beit Lahia, the Israeli military claimed it had eliminated a 'terrorist cell' in the area. Gaza’s Media Office dismissed the claim, pointing out multiple inconsistencies in the Israeli statement.

Israeli Drone Attack Kills 9 Palestinians in Beit Lahiya

On March 15, an Israeli drone strike on Beit Lahia in northern Gaza killed at least nine people and injured several others, according to Palestinian media.

The attack on Saturday targeted a relief team accompanied by journalists and photographers. Among the casualties were at least three local journalists.

The Palestinian Journalists’ Protection Center stated that the journalists had been documenting humanitarian relief efforts for those impacted by Israel’s ongoing assault.

Local sources also reported that Israeli warplanes targeted two vehicles carrying teams from Al-Khair Foundation while they were conducting field relief operations.

The chairman of Al-Khair Foundation, Qasim Rashid Ahmad, released a statement addressing the Israeli attack that killed nine people in Gaza’s Beit Lahia. Qasim said they were in a “humanitarian area where things were being prepared to accommodate and provide shelter to those who had lost their homes.”

Despite the ceasefire agreement that took effect on January 19, the Israeli military has conducted multiple raids in the Gaza Strip, killing dozens of Palestinians.

Israeli Military Claims to Have Eliminated Nine Palestinian ‘Terrorists’

A day after the Israeli assault that killed nine Palestinians in Beit Lahia, the Israeli military issued a statement on Telegram and X, claiming to have eliminated a “terrorist cell” in the area.

The statement alleged that one of the Palestinians killed in the airstrike had infiltrated Israeli territory during the October 7 operation.

According to the Israeli military, the individuals targeted were operating a drone intended for attacks against IOF troops in Gaza. The statement claimed that intelligence had linked the drone to the Islamic Jihad organization.

Israel further alleged that several of those killed were “terrorists operating under the cover of journalists,” listing six individuals.

The Israeli military named Mostafa Mohammed Shaaban Hamad and accused him of infiltrating Israel during Operation Al-Aqsa Flood.

The statement described Mahmoud Yahya Rashdi Al-Sarraj as a member of Hamas' engineering unit.

It alleged that Bilal Mahmoud Fouad Abu Matar worked as a photographer for Hamas. It accused Mahmoud Imad Hassan Aslim of being part of Hamas' Zeitoun Battalion while working as a journalist.

The Israeli military identified Suhaib Bassem Khaled Nagar as an Islamic Jihad member released in a hostage exchange. It also alleged that Mohammed Alaa Sobhi Al-Jafeer was a Hamas operative.

Journalist Abu Shanab Reveals False Israeli Claims on Aid Team Attack

In an interview with Misbar, Palestinian activist and journalist Ali Akram Abu Shanab, a friend of the martyrs, condemned the Israeli military’s claims about targeting the aid workers, calling them “false and baseless.”

Abu Shanab confirmed that the victims were engaged in humanitarian relief efforts, including journalists documenting the foundation’s work. 

He revealed that the Israeli military’s list included names of individuals unrelated to the targeted team while omitting other names of individuals who were killed in the attack.

Abu Shanab mentioned the name and photo of “Mohammed Alaa Al-Jafeer” did not match the martyr “Mohammad Wasfi Al-Ghafeer.” 

The statement also identified the name of “Bilal Abu Matar” but misrepresented his photo. 

The Israeli military failed to mention “Hazem Ghareeb” and “Bilal Aqila,” despite targeting them in the same attack. 

In addition, the statement featured the correct photo of “Mahmoud Aslim” but mentioned an incorrect name.

Abu Shanab reaffirmed that none of those targeted had any affiliation with armed factions.

The Only Survivor Recounts Details of Deadly Israeli Attack

Ibrahim Ihsan Ali Mustafa Sardah, the only survivor of the attack, revealed the harrowing details of the assault. 

He explained that he worked as a driver for a volunteer organization, and his team had been in the field to set up a displacement camp in northern Beit Lahia.

After opening the camp, IOF launched its first strike, killing two of his colleagues. The team moved toward their second vehicle, aiming to transport the bodies to the Indonesian Hospital.

As they made their way to the hospital, an Israeli drone launched another strike, obliterating the vehicle and killing everyone inside except Sardah. 

He emphasized that the second missile left no time for escape or reaction. “We were carrying out a humanitarian mission, delivering aid to displaced families who had lost their homes in northern Gaza,” he added.

Gaza’s Media Office: Israeli Military Fabricates Claims to Justify Crimes

Gaza's Government Media Office in Gaza accused the Israeli military of attempting to mislead international public opinion by justifying the Beit Lahia massacre in northern Gaza.

In a statement on Sunday, state media condemned Israel for using fabricated allegations to justify its attack, which killed aid workers and journalists.

“The occupation army's statement justifying the massacre proves once again that its leaders commit crimes and then fabricate lies inspired by their sick, criminal imagination,” the translated statement said.

Gaza’s Media Office further accused Israel of spreading false claims against the victims, making baseless claims, and exaggerating its so-called security operations involving the Shin Bet.

Moreover, Gaza's Government Media Office highlighted several inconsistencies in the Israeli military’s justification for the Beit Lahia massacre.

In a statement, the office pointed out that the photo identified as “Bilal Abu Matar” does not belong to him, exposing Israel’s fabrication of evidence.

It also noted that the full name listed for “Mahmoud Aslim” is inaccurate and actually belongs to another individual who is still alive.

In addition, “Suhaib Nagar,” mentioned in the Israeli statement, was not part of the crew and was not among those killed in the massacre.

The statement further revealed that the name given for “Mohammed Al-Jafeer” is incorrect.

Finally, it dismissed claims about “Mostafa Hammad,” whom Israel labeled a media professional and activist, stating that he was not part of the crew and had no ties to relief or media work.

The Government Media Office accused the Israeli military of fabricating charges against the victims of the Beit Lahia massacre without proper research or verification. 

“This proves that the occupying army hastily gathered false data and names, attaching baseless allegations to justify its crime,” the office stated.

It further emphasized that the airstrike on the relief crew and accompanying journalists was premeditated and deliberate.

The Israeli military bombed them twice after pursuing them, fully aware of their humanitarian mission.

Since October 7, 2023, Israeli attacks have killed at least 333 humanitarian workers in Gaza, according to a U.N. report published in November 2024.

On March 14, two days before the Beit Lahia massacre, Gaza's Media Office released a list of 206 journalists killed during Israel’s war on Gaza.

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