Revelation raises questions about reporting from Gaza

 https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/433489

Motaz Azaiza says he filmed Gazans assaulting hostages but withheld the footage out of concern that Israel would identify them. He also revealed pressure exerted by Hamas on journalists.

Palestinian Arab photographer Motaz Azaiza says he possesses footage from October 7 that he did not publish, including recordings showing Gaza residents beating and assaulting hostages in the Gaza Strip.

According to Azaiza, the decision to keep the material off the internet was deliberate: He feared that the footage would help Israel identify those involved and take action against them.

One of his revelations concerns a WhatsApp group called “Smart." According to Azaiza, its members include journalists from Gaza, and it is managed by a media figure affiliated with Hamas. He said the group was also used to organize attacks against media personnel who dared to publish criticism of the organization.

“Photographers in Gaza have become accustomed to lowering their cameras the moment someone says something bad about Hamas," he claimed.