On October 7, 2023, the world was thrust into chaos after a coordinated assault by Hamas on Israeli territory, triggering one of the most volatile flashpoints in the region in decades. In the fog of war, mainstream media outlets rushed to fill the information void,often with incomplete, exaggerated, or outright false reports. These inaccuracies shaped public opinion, influenced international policy, and provided cover for disproportionate military retaliation. This article examines seven of the most egregious and misleading claims amplified by major media organizations in the aftermath of the attack.

1. “Hamas Beheaded 40 Babies”

Perhaps the most horrific and viral claim, the story that Hamas fighters beheaded 40 babies was uncritically shared by major outlets including CNN, Fox News, and the New York Post. The source? Unverified testimonies from IDF soldiers and emergency response volunteers. No photos or forensic evidence were ever presented. Even Israeli officials later admitted that they could not confirm this claim. Despite the lack of verification, the story dominated headlines for days, fueling global outrage and justifying an aggressive military response.

In what will become a common theme throughout this list, Israel has beheaded more babies in the midst of their bombing campaign, than the number that we can find on October 7, which is zero.

2. “Mass Rapes Committed by Hamas”

Reports of systematic sexual violence were presented as fact before any credible investigation could take place. This included horrifying tales such as the mutilation of pregnant women, which were later walked back by initial sources like ZAKA. Human Rights Watch and other watchdogs have since noted that while some accounts are under investigation, the evidence does not yet support the sweeping, systematic nature of the allegations as initially reported.

This was one we debated on including in the list, as there were indeed some instances of rape on October 7. The issue is that the claim was a systematic policy of rape, which has not been found. In contrast, sexual assault from IDF soldiers on Palestinians seems to be far more widespread as a military tactic, with some human rights groups citing that it is a “method of war” for the country.

3. “Hamas Burned Children Alive”

Claims that children were burned alive quickly spread across social media and were picked up by major news organizations. These stories were emotionally powerful but largely unverified. Forensic analyses by Haaretz and Al Jazeera later revealed that several of the deaths attributed to Hamas may have been caused by fire during gun battles,some potentially started by Israeli tank fire or airstrikes. Nonetheless, these images were used to justify brutal reprisals in Gaza.

Meanwhile, Israel has burned a couple of people a week, since October 7. The stories of fire bombs, carpet bombs and invasions, targeting tents of fleeing refugees have become so common that we are now numb to them. In every instance of one of these attacks, social media is awash with the images of burning bodies, be they children, doctors or patients.

4. “Hamas Used Civilians as Human Shields”

While there have been instances in past conflicts where fighters used civilian areas for cover, the blanket claim that Hamas systematically used human shields on October 7 lacks firm evidence. Reports from Human Rights Watch show isolated cases, but the narrative was weaponized to delegitimize Palestinian civilian suffering and downplay the high number of casualties from Israeli airstrikes.

In the case of Israel, they have a policy of using human shields. Many instances of Palestinians being tied to the front of military vehicles, using children to send messages to civilians trapped, and beyond simply being shields, hundreds of children have been killed by direct sniper fire.

5. “The Hostages are the Main Priority”

Initial reports implied that hostages taken during the attack were summarily executed by Hamas. However, follow-up investigations revealed that several hostages may have been killed during chaotic Israeli attempts to retake control, including through tank shelling and helicopter gunfire. The oversimplified narrative stripped away the nuance and complexity of the real battlefield conditions.

One of the most repeated assertions in the early hours and weeks after October 7 was that rescuing hostages was Israel’s top priority. The media parroted this claim without scrutiny, despite clear signals from Israeli leadership that contradicted it. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant declared, “We are shifting to a full offense,” and “We are not negotiating.” Prime Minister Netanyahu’s messaging prioritized retaliation over reconciliation, and hostage families were left pleading for their loved ones’ lives in the face of political disinterest. The Israeli military’s approach made clear that military dominance—not hostage safety—was the driving strategy.

More disturbingly, Israel has a documented history of killing its own hostages in high-risk situations. Reports emerged that some hostages on October 7 may have died not at the hands of Hamas, but during Israeli counter-assaults. This isn’t new: past hostage rescue attempts, including the infamous Sabena flight and more recent operations in Gaza, have seen hostages killed by IDF fire. Yet mainstream outlets continued to present Israel as the protector, erasing the track record of lethal ‘rescues’ that prioritized optics over lives.

6. “Hamas Militants Were Solely Responsible for Civilian Deaths”

Mainstream coverage overwhelmingly placed the blame for civilian deaths solely on Hamas. But footage, reports, and eyewitness accounts have since pointed to several incidents of friendly fire and Israeli misidentifications. In some areas, Israeli forces shot civilians trying to flee, mistaking them for militants. These ‘inconvenient truths’ were still a lie however, as it turned out, the deaths of Israelis was part of the defense tactic.

Initially thought to be the accidents of a panicking military, it turned out that the order to kill Israelis on October 7, came from the top. Using a military doctrine called the ‘Hannibal Directive’, where the IDF chooses to murder their own citizens, rather than allow them to be taken hostage.

7. “The Attack Was Unprovoked”

Framing October 7 as an act of irrational violence stripped it from its political and historical context. Decades of occupation, siege, and repeated military operations in Gaza were conveniently erased. Analysts like Peter Beinart and organizations like B’Tselem have long warned that failing to address the systemic oppression of Palestinians is a recipe for escalation. Ignoring that context allowed the media to paint a picture of unmotivated savagery rather than a violent reaction to violent conditions.

The media’s role in shaping public consciousness cannot be overstated, especially during moments of crisis. By failing to verify information, relying on official sources without scrutiny, and reinforcing simplistic narratives, mainstream outlets contributed to the fog of war rather than dispelling it. These lies didn’t just mislead,they justified collective punishment, enabled war crimes, and silenced Palestinian voices. Accountability in journalism is not optional. When the stakes are lives, accuracy is a moral imperative.