Photographs of detained and stripped Palestinians apparently surrendering some weapons to Israeli forces within the Gaza Strip have prompted hypothesis in regards to the circumstances of the occasions and the filming.
Initially, two movies of what seemed to be the identical scene – a person in his underwear obeying directions to put down a weapon – however with slight variations, sparked hypothesis it could have been filmed repeatedly for separate “takes”.
BBC Confirm has examined the footage and established that each clips got here from a steady sequence wherein three weapons in complete seem like handed over. However questions stay in regards to the precise circumstances and the discharge of the movies.
Two separate clips depicting the identical scene however with minor discrepancies circulated on social media on Saturday 9 December. This led to accusations that completely different “takes” had been filmed. Some pointed to how the person within the video was holding the gun in a special hand within the two scenes.
BBC Confirm has discovered that in actual fact these movies are completely different sections of a steady sequence, not separate takes, and the identical man goes back and forth bringing completely different weapons to the pavement with their indifferent ammunition.
Within the footage, dozens of different males are seen standing throughout the street watching, additionally of their underwear, lots of them with their arms aloft and holding id playing cards. BBC Confirm has established they’re in entrance of a UN college in Beit Lahia, north of the Jabalia refugee camp.
One video, which we all know was shot first due to the place of the solar, reveals the person putting a gun from his proper hand on high of one other on the pavement. Within the subsequent video, with the solar decrease, the person locations a special gun on high of these from his left hand. Nonetheless photographs corroborate and bookend this sequence, with one displaying the very first gun being positioned, and one other displaying the ensuing three weapons and magazines on the pavement.
There are nonetheless some questions raised by the footage. Notably, the person is being held at gunpoint and issued instructions from off-screen, so it is unclear whether or not he’s “surrendering” the weapons or simply transferring them as instructed. Given he’s already in his underwear and he can not have been concealing them on his particular person, it is unlikely Israeli troops didn’t learn about these weapons, suggesting this can be carried out for the digital camera, fairly than as an act of genuine give up. We additionally do not know if he, or any of the opposite people within the video, have any involvement with Hamas or the 7 October assault.
In one of many movies, the top of what appears to be a DSLR zoom lens is briefly seen. There have been additionally pictures circulating alongside the movies which have been captured from a barely completely different angle. This implies the occasions have been filmed or photographed by multiple particular person or digital camera.
Over the previous week, emotive photographs of Palestinians being detained in Gaza have provoked robust reactions – with some expressing concern over the therapy of the prisoners, and the Purple Cross saying all detainees should be handled in accordance with worldwide legislation.
However Israel has been eager to point out proof it is making progress in opposition to Hamas in Gaza. On Sunday Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated: “In latest days, dozens of Hamas terrorists have surrendered to our forces. They’re laying down their weapons and handing themselves over to our heroic fighters.
“It’ll take extra time, the battle is in full swing, however that is the start of the top for Hamas.”
The Israel Protection Forces (IDF) didn’t reply on to questions in regards to the circumstances of those movies however a spokesperson instructed the BBC that detained people “are handled in accordance with worldwide legislation”.
“It’s typically obligatory for terror suspects at hand over their garments such that their garments might be searched and to make sure that they aren’t concealing explosive vests or different weaponry.”
Further reporting by Paul Brown
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