Since Friday, someone began sending out fake WhatsApp messages about the status of the boys kidnapped by Hamas and the search for them. The messages have been going viral, and some of the less scrupulous or careful news sites have actually reported these fake WhatsApp “updates” as true.
Earlier today, a new and fake WhatsApp message went viral. The message reached one of the family members of the kidnapped boys.
Needless to say, until the family confirmed that the information was completely false, the family was seriously distressed to no end by the text of the message, which we are not reposting.
The IDF spokesperson has called on the public to stop forwarding these WhatsApp messages and to act responsibly.
The origin of these messages is unknown, whether they come from Hamas or just a sick person. But they are taking advantage of the Israeli need to forward on breaking news as fast as they can, to as many people as they know.
One hopes a responsible authority thinks to get a warrant to trace the WhatsApp message back to its source.