A shocking investigation has revealed how Israel created a covert intelligence unit to smear Gaza journalists and justify their killings during the ongoing war. The secret team, called the Legitimisation Cell, was formed in October 2023 at the start of Israel's assault on Gaza. Its role was to gather and release selective intelligence that painted reporters as Hamas operatives.

The unit's main mission was to damage the credibility of Palestinian journalists and reduce global outrage when they were killed. According to insiders, if media coverage criticized Israel for killing reporters, the cell would quickly release claims linking at least one journalist to Hamas, suggesting others were also suspicious.

The Legitimisation Cell shared its intelligence with allies, including the United States, to block diplomatic pressure and keep weapons supplies flowing. In several cases, journalists were falsely portrayed as Hamas commanders before later being cleared. Yet the damage to their reputation had already been done.

Among the victims was Anas Al-Sharif, a 28-year-old Al Jazeera journalist known for covering Gaza's hunger crisis. Israeli officials accused him of spreading "false Hamas propaganda," turning him into a public target before he was killed. Similar tactics were used against his colleague, Ismail Al-Ghoul, who was absurdly listed as a Hamas commander at age ten.

The cell also promoted disputed narratives, such as blaming Islamic Jihad for the October 17, 2023 hospital explosion in Gaza. These claims were widely challenged by independent experts.

Since October 7, at least 186 journalists have been killed in Gaza — the deadliest period for reporters in recent history. In his final message, Al-Sharif wrote: "If these words reach you, know that Israel has succeeded in killing me and silencing my voice."

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