This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-20339546
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
Gaza missiles fired at Tel Aviv | |
(35 minutes later) | |
| |
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Palestinian Islamist group Hamas have opened a new front in the propaganda war, via Twitter. | The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Palestinian Islamist group Hamas have opened a new front in the propaganda war, via Twitter. |
On Wednesday, the IDF began live-tweeting and blogging about its current military operation against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. | On Wednesday, the IDF began live-tweeting and blogging about its current military operation against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. |
Ahmed Said Khalil al-Jabari, head of Hamas' military wing, was killed in the initial air strike. | Ahmed Said Khalil al-Jabari, head of Hamas' military wing, was killed in the initial air strike. |
The IDF uploaded a video of the attack and an "eliminated" poster on Twitter. | The IDF uploaded a video of the attack and an "eliminated" poster on Twitter. |
Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, responded: "Our blessed hands will reach your leaders and soldiers wherever they are (You Opened Hell Gates on Yourselves)". | Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, responded: "Our blessed hands will reach your leaders and soldiers wherever they are (You Opened Hell Gates on Yourselves)". |
In a thinly-veiled threat, the IDF warned: "We recommend no Hamas operatives, whether low level or senior leaders, show their faces above ground in the days ahead." | In a thinly-veiled threat, the IDF warned: "We recommend no Hamas operatives, whether low level or senior leaders, show their faces above ground in the days ahead." |
Meanwhile, over the last 20 hours, Hamas has been giving a running commentary on its mortar and rocket attacks on various Israeli targets, including what it said were military bases. | Meanwhile, over the last 20 hours, Hamas has been giving a running commentary on its mortar and rocket attacks on various Israeli targets, including what it said were military bases. |
On Thursday, it posted a YouTube video purportedly showing the launch of a Fajr 5 missile towards Tel Aviv for the first time. | On Thursday, it posted a YouTube video purportedly showing the launch of a Fajr 5 missile towards Tel Aviv for the first time. |
In its turn, the IDF tweeted a link to a video purportedly showing an Israeli air force attack on a "rocket warehouse in #Gaza", on day two of its "Pillar of Defense" operation. | In its turn, the IDF tweeted a link to a video purportedly showing an Israeli air force attack on a "rocket warehouse in #Gaza", on day two of its "Pillar of Defense" operation. |
The use of social media to announce and comment on military operations, almost in real time, is a significant departure for the social networking platform. | The use of social media to announce and comment on military operations, almost in real time, is a significant departure for the social networking platform. |
And it potentially brings the warring parties into conflict with Twitter's own rules, which state: "Violence and Threats: You may not publish or post direct, specific threats of violence against others." | And it potentially brings the warring parties into conflict with Twitter's own rules, which state: "Violence and Threats: You may not publish or post direct, specific threats of violence against others." |
Benedict Evans, analyst at media research company Enders Analysis, told the BBC: "This clearly puts Twitter in a difficult position. They want to preserve their position as a carrier service that doesn't editorialise. | Benedict Evans, analyst at media research company Enders Analysis, told the BBC: "This clearly puts Twitter in a difficult position. They want to preserve their position as a carrier service that doesn't editorialise. |
"On the other hand, they have terms and conditions that must be adhered to. | "On the other hand, they have terms and conditions that must be adhered to. |
"This is not a decision a couple of hundred engineers in North California want to be making." | "This is not a decision a couple of hundred engineers in North California want to be making." |
It remains to be seen whether Twitter intervenes in the online warfare and bans either of both of the combatants. | It remains to be seen whether Twitter intervenes in the online warfare and bans either of both of the combatants. |