--- title: "IDF names 170 Gaza individuals presented as journalists but says they were militants" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/media/idf-names-170-gaza-individuals-presented-as-journalists-but-says-they-were-milit" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/idf-names-170-gaza-individuals-presented-as-journalists-but-says-they-were-milit" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/media/idf-names-170-gaza-individuals-presented-as-journalists-but-says-they-were-milit.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/idf-names-170-gaza-individuals-presented-as-journalists-but-says-they-were-milit" category: "Media" area: "Middle East" published: "2026-10-01T20:25:18.648Z" source_reported: "2026-10-01T19:13:18.000Z" updated: "2026-10-01T20:25:18.648Z" trust_score: 86 critic_score: 85 hype_score: 32 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-10-01T21:30:20.500530+00:00" --- # IDF names 170 Gaza individuals presented as journalists but says they were militants *Military claims those killed included members of Hamas and Islamic Jihad, with 17 involved in Oct 7 attack.* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 86 of 100, higher is better. Includes IDF statements, named spokesperson, documents, dates, and multiple outlets, giving 86 trust. - Craft 85 of 100, higher is better. Provides context, specific figures, next steps, and clear separation of fact, earning 85 critic. - Hype 32 of 100, lower is better. Mildly sensational language but body matches claims, yielding a 32 hype score. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - The IDF has released a list of 170 Palestinians killed in Gaza who were internationally presented as journalists. - The military claims these individuals were members of Hamas or Palestinian Islamic Jihad, not solely journalists. - According to the IDF, 17 individuals on the list participated in the October 7, 2023 attack on southern Israel. - The IDF stated some listed individuals worked for international media organisations including Reuters, CNN, and BBC. The Israeli military announced on Thursday that it had published the names of 170 Palestinians killed in Gaza during the current conflict who were presented internationally as journalists or media workers. The IDF stated that these individuals also served as members of terrorist organisations, primarily Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. The military launched a dedicated website containing the names, photographs, and alleged organisational affiliations of those on the list. The IDF said it had identified a pattern where Hamas and Islamic Jihad acknowledged some media workers had also served in their military wings. The IDF claims 118 of the 170 were members of Hamas’ military wing, 49 belonged to Palestinian Islamic Jihad, two to the Popular Resistance Committees, and one to the Mujahideen Brigades. It also reported that 17 of those listed participated in the October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel. The IDF stated that some of the individuals named had worked for international media organisations such as Reuters, CNN, ABC News, The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse, the BBC, Le Monde, and Australia’s ABC. The military said the disclosures were intended to challenge accusations that Israel had deliberately and systematically targeted journalists, arguing that the information illustrates a gap between international portrayals and the reality on the ground. ## Disagreement on the number of individuals named While the IDF stated it published a list of 170 individuals, some reports indicated a smaller number. Digests from O Antagonista, Sahara Reporters, Haaretz, i24NEWS, WIN, Arutz Sheva, nova24tv.si, VINnews, Just the News, and NEWSru.co.il mentioned the IDF releasing the names of ten individuals. JDN - חדשות also referred to the first list of ten activists. The IDF's full report as published by Ynet News and Worthy Christian News confirmed the figure of 170. ## What the coverage left out None of the left-rated reports below mention the Committee to Protect Journalists' review of its Gaza casualty database, which Worthy Christian News reported on. None of the left or centre-rated reports below mention the specific number of individuals who participated in the October 7 attack, a detail reported by i24NEWS, WIN, and Just the News in their right-rated digests. ## Who covered it Shares of the 10 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 20% (2) - Centre: 20% (2) - Right: 60% (6) 8 of 18 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-10-01T21:30:20.500530+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 7 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-10-01T22:00:30.383Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - The left-rated reports led on the IDF's announcement that it had launched a website presenting claims about Gaza journalists. Ynet News, in its full report, detailed the IDF's assertion that 170 Palestinians killed in Gaza and presented as journalists were in fact members of Hamas or Islamic Jihad. It noted the military's aim to challenge accusations of deliberately targeting journalists. Haaretz's digest stated the IDF launched a site allegedly showing some Gaza journalists were Hamas operatives. ### Centre - The centre-rated reports focused on the IDF's claim that 170 individuals presented as journalists were actually members of terrorist groups. Worthy Christian News, in its full report, stated the IDF said 170 Palestinians killed during the Gaza war and identified as journalists were members of Hamas and Islamic Jihad. It mentioned the IDF's evidence and the Committee to Protect Journalists' review of its casualty database. Jerusalem Post's digest reported the IDF stating 170 Hamas, PIJ terrorists killed in Gaza were misrepresented as 'innocent journalists', with verification using documents released by terrorist organisations. ### Right - The right-rated reports highlighted the IDF's assertion that individuals presented as journalists were terrorists. i24NEWS's digest stated 170 'journalists' killed in Gaza were members of terrorist organisations, noting 17 participated in the October 7 attack and some worked for international media. WIN's digest reported the IDF exposing over 170 Hamas terrorists who posed as journalists, with IDF Spokesperson Effie Defrin revealing this. Arutz Sheva's digest stated the IDF exposed Hamas terrorists presented as innocent journalists, including operatives who infiltrated Israel on October 7. nova24tv.si's digest reported the IDF publishing a list of Gaza 'journalists' who were Hamas and PIJ defectors, launching The Press Files website. VINnews's digest reported the IDF identifying the first 10 Gaza 'journalists' as Hamas, Islamic Jihad terrorists, calling it the opening installment of a larger disclosure. Just the News's digest claimed 10 Gaza terrorists posed as journalists to dispute accusations of targeting reporters, naming one individual allegedly involved in the Oct 7 attacks. **Provisional coverage gap:** left. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - mixed: 3 - high: 5 - unknown: 9 - veryHigh: 1 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [大纪元 Epoch Times](https://epochtimes.com/b5/26/10/1/n14861605.htm) — IDF Exposes: Hundreds of Terrorists Disguised as Journalists Manipulating Public Opinion - [O Antagonista](https://oantagonista.com.br/mundo/crusoe-israel-divulga-lista-de-170-terroristas-apresentados-como-jornalistas) — Crusoé: Israel Releases List of 170 "Terrorists" Presented as Journalists - [Sahara Reporters](https://saharareporters.com/2026/10/01/israel-claims-170-gaza-journalists-killed-war-were-actually-hamas-jihadist-operatives) — Israel Claims 170 Gaza ‘Journalists’ Killed In War Were Actually Hamas, Jihadist Operatives, Releases 10 Names - [Haaretz](https://haaretz.com/israel-news/israel-security/2026-10-01/ty-article/.premium/idf-launches-site-allegedly-showing-gaza-journalists-were-hamas-operatives/000001a0-f7df-d7ce-a3e9-f7ffe88c0000) — IDF launches site allegedly showing some Gaza journalists were Hamas operatives - [i24NEWS](https://i24news.tv/fr/actu/israel-en-guerre/artc-170-journalistes-tues-a-gaza-etaient-membres-d-organisations-terroristes-revele-tsahal) — 170 "Journalists" Killed in Gaza Were Members of Terrorist Organizations, Says IDF - [WIN](https://worldisraelnews.com/watch-idf-exposes-over-170-hamas-terrorists-that-posed-as-journalists) — IDF exposes over 170 Hamas terrorists that posed as journalists - [Hospodárske Noviny](https://hnonline.sk/svet/96305539-izrael-reaguje-na-kritiku-kvoli-zabitym-novinarom-podla-armady-mnohi-z-nich-patrili-k-ozbrojenym-skupinam) — Israel Responds to Criticism over Journalists Killed. Military Says Many Belonged to Armed Groups - [Ynet News](https://ynetnews.com/article/byynhen5ze) — IDF names 170 slain Gaza ‘journalists’ it says served in Hamas, Islamic Jihad - [Jerusalem Post](https://jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-910354) — IDF: 170 Hamas, PIJ terrorists killed in Gaza were misrepresented as 'innocent journalists' - [Worthy Christian News](https://worthynews.com/117906-idf-170-gazans-listed-as-journalists-were-members-of-terror-groups) — IDF: 170 Gazans Listed As Journalists Were Members Of Terror Groups - [Arutz Sheva](https://israelnationalnews.com/news/433953) — IDF exposes Hamas terrorists who were presented as innocent journalists - [JDN - חדשות](https://jdn.co.il/news/2737164) — IDF Reveals: Dozens of Gazans Who Were Presented as Journalists Actually Served as Terrorists, Now the IDF Has Eliminated a 'Journalist' - Another Terrorist - [nova24tv.si](https://nova24tv.si/idf-objavil-seznam-novinarjev-iz-gaze-ki-so-bili-oripadniki-hamasa-in-pij) — IDF Publishes List of Gaza “Journalists” Who Were Hamas and PIJ Defectors - [VINnews](https://vinnews.com/2026/10/01/idf-identifies-first-10-gaza-journalists-as-hamas-islamic-jihad-operatives) — IDF Identifies First 10 Gaza ‘Journalists’ as Hamas, Islamic Jihad Terrorists - [AJN Agencia de Noticias](https://agenciaajn.com/noticia/las-fuerzas-de-defensa-de-israel-revelaran-identidades-de-terroristas-que-se-hacian-pasar-por-periodistas-en-gaza-314355) — Israel Defense Forces to Reveal Identities of Terrorists Posing as Journalists in Gaza - [Unknown](https://srugim.co.il/101012363-%D7%A6%D7%94%D7%9C-%D7%97%D7%95%D7%A9%D7%A3-%D7%94%D7%95%D7%9B%D7%97%D7%95%D7%AA-%D7%A2%D7%99%D7%AA%D7%95%D7%A0%D7%90%D7%99-%D7%A2%D7%96%D7%94-%D7%94%D7%9D-%D7%9E%D7%97%D7%91%D7%9C%D7%99%D7%9D) — IDF Reveals Evidence: Gaza 'Journalists' Are Terrorists - [NEWSru.co.il](https://newsru.co.il/israel/1oct2026/idf_media_130.html) — IDF Has Published Data on 10 "Journalists" Who Were Eliminated in Gaza. - [Just the News](https://justthenews.com/world/middle-east/israel-claims-10-gaza-terrorists-posed-journalists-dispute-accusations-it-targets) — Israel claims 10 Gaza terrorists posed as journalists to dispute accusations it targets reporters ## Questions **How many individuals did the IDF claim were presented as journalists but were actually militants?** The Israeli military stated it has identified 170 Palestinians killed in Gaza who were presented internationally as journalists or media workers but who also served as members of terrorist organisations, primarily Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. **Did any of the individuals named by the IDF participate in the October 7 attack?** Yes, the IDF reported that 17 of the 170 individuals on its list participated in the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. **Did the IDF claim any of these individuals worked for international media organisations?** Yes, the IDF claimed that some of the listed individuals had worked for major international media organisations, including Reuters, CNN, ABC News, The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse, the BBC, Le Monde, and Australia’s ABC. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. 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