In an unusual turn of events, various Turkish media outlets reported that Hamas’ top political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, was assassinated by a shadowy Mossad agent named ‘Amit Nakesh’. This peculiar name, sounding distinctly Indian, raised eyebrows. However, the truth lies in the details.
These reports, which caught widespread attention, were based on hoax posts from Israeli social media, often crafted with humorous and fictional names. The name ‘Amit Nakesh’ appears to be a play on the Hebrew word ‘hamitnakesh,’ meaning ‘assassin.’ It seems the Turkish media misinterpreted these pranks and mistakenly reported them as fact.
Notably, Usak Olay, a publication, went as far as providing a biography for the non-existent agent, describing him as a former IDF officer involved in specialized operations and later joining Mossad. The Akdeniz Gerçek Gazetesi of Antalya added to the fiction, claiming Nakesh participated in high-profile operations, further spreading the misinformation.
Israeli social media users quickly mocked the reports, with an account named Amit Nakesh jokingly introducing himself online, further ridiculing the situation. Despite this, the reports caused initial confusion and concern.
The assassination of Ismail Haniyeh occurred in Tehran on July 31, allegedly by Mossad, though Israel has neither confirmed nor denied involvement. The incident has escalated regional tensions, with Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowing retaliation. Hamas, along with various supporters, condemned the attack, heightening the already volatile situation.
In response, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan denounced the assassination, viewing it as an attempt to undermine the Palestinian cause. Pro-Hamas protests erupted in Istanbul, demonstrating widespread outrage.
Despite the retractions and clarifications, the incident underscores the ease with which misinformation can spread, influencing international perceptions and potentially escalating conflicts.
