War is an ugly business and those involved often employ underhand tactics.

One such tactic is to claim an atrocity has taken place when it hasn’t. This is why any such claim should always be treated only as an unconfirmed story until it has been verified by an independent and impartial observer – preferably by several.

That is why This Writer is not ready to believe claims that babies were beheaded at the Kfar Aza kibbutz, near Gaza, solely on the word of Israel Defence Force soldiers. I don’t care how “shaken” they looked to the international reporters they invited in. The story should not have been released until the facts had been established.

This is not to say that the alleged massacre did not take place; I am simply saying that caution must be employed when encountering such claims.

Sadly, this message does not appear to have got through to some of the UK’s politicians and media outlets, as This Writer’s social media feed shows – to their shame.

This report from Israeli news broadcaster i24 News provides no supporting voices to corroborate the military claims and, from what the reporter says, she has not seen any evidence:

Jake Wallis Simons is the editor of the Jewish Chronicle, a UK-based periodical that has gained a reputation for the poor quality of its news reporting – particularly over anti-Semitism claims against Labour Party members and/or supporters. His claim here is debunked by Jews Sans Frontieres:

https://twitter.com/JakeWSimons/status/1711746759309861311

Here’s Aaron Bastani – of social media site Novara Media – reminding Rob Burley – ex-head of BBC Politics and now in charge of Sky News – that it is deeply unprofessional to report these claims as true without corroboration:

For clarity, I repeat: I am not saying this atrocity has not happened. I’m simply pointing out that, without independent corroboration, none of us can be sure that it has.

Even if it has, it will not justify any attacks that injure civilians in Gaza. Those would also be war crimes under international law.

Israeli politicians would do well to bear that in mind.

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