Young Israelis, Gazans Live-Tweet Raw But Different Versions of Conflict
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David Silverman/Getty Images(JERUSALEM) — While the Israeli military and Hamas continue to fire rockets across the Israel-Gaza border Thursday, regular citizens on both sides are using Twitter to launch a war of words about the conflict.
Raw accounts of buildings being bombed and rockets going off have become a hallmark of this ongoing conflict, allowing regular people to voice their opinions and the possibility of peace.
Israeli citizen Ido Daniel, 27, has been tweeting about Hamas rockets being fired at Israel and intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome.
He has also tweeted about Hamas’s tactics in using tunnels and storing weapons at civilian buildings.
2 successful #IronDome interceptions above Ashdod & Ramat Gan. Rockets ere fired during Mohammed Deif speech on Hamas TV #IsraelUnderFire
— Ido Daniel (@IdoDaniel) July 29, 2014
Air raid sirens in central Israel right now. I’m running for cover. #IsraelUnderFire
— Ido Daniel (@IdoDaniel) July 29, 2014
His impassioned tweets have led to arguments with those criticizing Israel.
It only took them 5 MINUTES to break the humanitarian #ceasefire: air raid sirens now in Ashkelon & Ashdod #IsraelUnderFire
— Ido Daniel (@IdoDaniel) July 30, 2014
The first-person accounts and photos that fill Twitter, Facebook and Instagram feeds have allowed the rest of the world to hear from people most-affected by the conflict.
Earlier this week, thousands followed along as 16-year-old Gaza resident Farah Baker tweeted about airstrikes in her neighborhood — posting photos and short videos that allowed people around the world to see the destruction in Gaza first-hand.
3:04am it should be too dark but as u can see flares turned darkness into light #Gaza https://t.co/SF3buL7eC1
— Guess what (@Farah_Gazan) July 29, 2014
In Gaza City, 24-year-old Mohammed Suliman has been tweeting about how the conflict looks from his side of the border, painting a stark picture of destruction and death around him.
I have lived in Gaza for almost all of my life. War is something not new to us. These, however, are the scariest moments we have ever lived.
— Mohammed Suliman (@imPalestine) July 28, 2014
The newest airstrike next to me targeted a civilian building which belongs to Al Shurafa family. Several families live there. No warning.
— Mohammed Suliman (@imPalestine) July 28, 2014
We’ve been without electricity for two full days. Managed to secure some fuel to run the generator for a couple hours before I’m off again.
— Mohammed Suliman (@imPalestine) July 30, 2014
Suliman, too, has engaged in pointed political criticism. His tweets have been favorited and retweeted thousands of times, showing how a Palestinian in the midst of the conflict can have an significant platform to communicate his views.
I’m nauseated by Israeli civilians pathetically whining about Hamas rockets penetrating their walls. Your missiles obliterate whole areas.
— Mohammed Suliman (@imPalestine) July 30, 2014
Hamas killed zero Israeli children. Israel defended itself murdering 300 Palestinian children. What self-defense. Stop talking about Hamas.
— Mohammed Suliman (@imPalestine) July 30, 2014
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