FAKE AI-generated images and Hamas propaganda on social media are warping a generation of young people, experts have warned.

Since Hamas’ brutal massacre in Israel, misinformation watchdogs have warned that technology could be weaponised by hate groups and far-right internet trolls to confuse the public and turbocharge propaganda efforts.

In the age of the internet and social media, it’s become increasingly difficult to work out what is really happening on the ground in Gaza and Israel.

And analysts monitoring the war have noted a new and “concerning” link between pro-Hamas sentiment and online far-right communities.

Forums and platforms such as X/ Twitter, TikTok, Telegram and Reddit have seen an uptick in the spread of fake news, images, video and audio since October 7, experts said.

AI-generated images and video related to the conflict are rampant – including hate-fuelled memes targeting Jewish people, and crafted efforts to deceive the public. 

Old footage from previous wars or disasters – and even video games – have been dredged up and shared online, claiming to be from Gaza, along with gruesome AI images of dead or injured children.

AI’s leap forward in recent years means even those with only basic skills can now go online and generate images, video or audio.

Its widespread use also means it’s easier for malicious actors to dismiss authentic images, video and audio as AI-generated – creating suspicion, confusion and boosting propaganda efforts.

Israeli lawyer Ami H. Orkaby said Hamas are resorting to “increasingly sophisticated dirty tricks to press home their advantage”.

This reportedly includes cyber companies hiring bots to blast pro-Israeli posts with hundreds of pro-Palestinian messages.

Ami claims bots are also being used to submit fake reports to social media platform moderators in a bid to get accounts suspended or deactivated – such as pro-Israel accounts.

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