This Friday morning, Dusiznies received information that we now know was false, that the kidnapped boys were rescued!
Here is the background of what transpired!
First see an email from IDF Spokrsman Brig Gen. Moti Almoz.
"There is nothing to the rumors that have been spread and
they are baseless. I am calling on everyone to act responsibly and I promise to
deliver the most accurate information," IDF Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Moti Almoz
says.
Israelis on social media and via messaging circulated
numerous rumors about the kidnapping on Friday before the gag order was lifted
and news outlets were allowed to report.
The first large rumor detailed a heroic rescue mission
behind enemy lines, in which the kidnapped were taken to the Gaza Strip and from
there to Egypt.
Another rumor circulating the web was that the three were
no longer alive. Other rumors were spread on Whatsapp in fake messages claiming
to be from the IDF Spokesperson's Unit reporting that the IDF and Shin Bet
rescued the kidnapped teens from Islamic Jihad captors, and that five terrorists
were killed in the operation.
The IDF Spokesperson's Unit released a statement calling
the circulating stories "baseless rumors and irresponsible." After the gag order
was lifted, IDF Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Moti Almoz told cameras, "There is
nothing to the rumors that have been spread and they are baseless. I am calling
on everyone to act responsibly and I promise to deliver the most accurate
information."
Some used the internet to rally behind more positive
messages. One Facebook page, titled #BringBackOurBoys and created on Friday,
aimed to raise awareness of the three kidnapped Israelis. The group was modeled
after U.S. first lady Michelle Obama's social media campaign to rescue kidnapped
girls in Nigeria last month.
However, following complaints by Palestinian groups, the
page was taken down by Facebook management. The page was later brought back
after Facebook announced that no forbidden content was found on the page.
Palestinians from Hebron boasted "Victory 3:1 over Gaza" online,
as if keeping score with Hamas, with one referring to the kidnapped soldier
Gilad Schalit who was held in the Gaza Strip opposed to the three Israeli teens
believed to be held in Hebron.
