In a new application of social media tools, the Israel Defense Forces on Wednesday used its official Twitter account to announce its military operation in Gaza and posted live updates on the Twitter account and an official live blog, including video updates.
As the “@IDFSpokesperson” account tweeted on Wednesday afternoon Eastern time:
The IDF has begun a widespread campaign on terror sites & operatives in the #Gaza Strip, chief among them #Hamas & Islamic Jihad targets.
— IDF (@IDFSpokesperson) November 14, 2012
Wednesday’s airstrikes against targets in Gaza were in response to what the IDF said were repeated rocket attacks throughout the year on Israeli citizens by militants in Gaza.
The IDF account later added:
We recommend that no Hamas operatives, whether low level or senior leaders, show their faces above ground in the days ahead.
— IDF (@IDFSpokesperson) November 14, 2012
Another Twitter account, “@AlqassamBrigade,” which claims to be affiliated with the Al Qassam Brigades in Palestine, a militant wing of Hamas, tweeted in response to the @IDFSpokesperson account:
@idfspokesperson Our blessed hands will reach your leaders and soldiers wherever they are (You Opened Hell Gates on Yourselves)
— Alqassam Brigades (@AlqassamBrigade) November 14, 2012
