How Telegram Became a Terrifying Weapon in the Israel-Hamas War

In response to requests from Haaretz, the IDF said the situation was “under review.” On social media, a different story was unfolding. Hamas guys going over the border, and then like shoot-’em-up-style videos going in kibbutz houses,” Benjakob says, still sounding stunned. Telegram was already familiar to many Israelis, who, among other things, often procure cannabis through the app. But in the absence of official information, she wanted to see for herself how Hamas fighters had entered Israel. “The only way for me to do that was to go on Telegram, enter the channel related to Hamas’ press team,” she says.