Among the many reports concerning the commencement of the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of three Israeli hostages published on the BBC News website’s ‘Middle East’ page on January 19th was a filmed item titled “Watch: Cautious celebrations in Gaza as ceasefire begins”.
That report by Rushdi Abualouf – who left the Gaza Strip for Istanbul in November 2023 – opens with him telling BBC audiences that people in the Gaza Strip “were up all night waiting for this” – the ceasefire – and “they have been waiting day after day, minute after minute, for the last fifteen months”. Predictably, Abualouf has nothing to tell BBC audiences about the fact that the conflict could have ended at any time during that period had Hamas released the hostages and surrendered.
Following speculations concerning “a real ceasefire” or “a fragile ceasefire” and statements about reconstruction, Abualouf goes on: [emphasis in the original]
Abualouf: “I had like hundreds of calls and I have met most of the Hamas leaders, from Ismail Haniyeh to his deputy, to everybody and they all concern [sic] about the second stage. They believe that Israel want as much [sic] hostages as possible in the first stage and they want to resume the fight again. This is a real concern for Hamas but also a real concern for all of the Gazans, whether they are inside or outside. So it’s going to be very difficult six weeks to judge. It’s very early to judge whether this ceasefire agreement will end the war.”
Those familiar with his record will not be surprised by Abualouf’s trumpeting of his familiarity with Hamas leaders. Throughout the current conflict, BBC audiences have repeatedly seen reporting based on Hamas messaging amplified by Abualouf.
BBC NEWS AMPLIFIES HAMAS PROPAGANDA ON HOSPITALS
BBC’S ABUALOUF PROMOTES DISINFORMATION ABOUT HOSTAGE DEATHS
BBC NEWS WEBSITE PROMOTES HAMAS PSYCHOLOGICAL WARFARE
Once again we see that when Hamas leaders (presumably this time not including the one Abualouf chose to name) need to promote the talking points that are part of their PR strategy of the moment, all they have to do is to call the BBC’s Istanbul-based Gaza correspondent.
While the current talking points are intended to focus attentions on Israel’s supposed intention “to resume the fight”, Abualouf of course has nothing at all to tell BBC audiences about Hamas’ own plans which, as explained by Koby Michael at the INSS and other analysts, do not include to “end the war”.
“From Hamas’s perspective, the agreement’s another step along the way, another crack in the wall of the Palestinian Authority before Hamas eventually captures it from Fatah. Hamas leaders are careful to present the agreement as a victory for the Palestinian people and a badge of honor for the resilience of Palestinian citizens in Gaza. Much flattery will be lavished upon all Gazans, and Hamas’s leadership won’t hesitate to share the achievement with the residents of Gaza to calm tensions, moderate opposition, inspire encouragement, and renew the fighting spirit.
Thus, as for Hamas, there’s nothing new under the sun. The organization continues to focus on rebuilding itself and maintaining its firm grip on Gaza and its residents, resolutely continuing its struggle against Israel until the ultimate goal is achieved, even if delayed.”
As we have previously had cause to note on several occasions, BBC editorial guidelines include mandatory referrals relating to contact with terrorist organisations proscribed by the UK government.
Members of the corporation’s funding public may of course be wondering what exactly is the point of those mandatory referrals to the BBC’s Director of Editorial Policy and Standards and others, when the leaders of a UK proscribed terrorist organisation appear to have a BBC correspondent on speed dial.