Social media accounts circulated a video showing members of Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, and Al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of Islamic Jihad, embracing each other. The video was shared with the claim that it coincided with the announcement of a ceasefire agreement in Gaza, accompanied by the caption: “Al-Qassam fighters share joy with the people of Gaza.”
Kashif verified the video via “Google Images” and found that it was old. The video is from November 2023 and shows members of Al-Qassam Brigades and Al-Quds Brigades after the release of the fifth batch of Israeli detainees.
Al-Araby TV published the video on its YouTube 29/11/2023, under the title: “Warm embrace between Al-Qassam and Al-Quds fighters after the release of the fifth batch of detainees.”
The official Telegram channel of Al-Qassam Brigades shared the video on 28/11/2023, with the caption: “An emotional video showing Al-Qassam and Al-Quds fighters exchanging greetings and kissing each other’s heads in front of Gaza residents, expressing pride and appreciation for the resistance factions’ significant role during Operation Al-Aqsa Flood. Islamic Jihad declared: Coordination and unity between Al-Quds Brigades and Al-Qassam Brigades is a model to be proud of across the nations.”
A temporary truce was reached in November 2023 between Hamas and the Israeli occupation, resulting in the release of 81 Israelis, 23 Thais, and one Filipino. In return, Israel released 240 Palestinian detainees, including 71 women and 169 children, though a number of them were later re-arrested by the Israeli occupation forces.
On 15/1/2025, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani announced the agreement of a ceasefire between Hamas in Gaza and the Israeli government. The agreement is set to take effect on Sunday, 19/1/2025, with the exact timing to be announced later.
On 15/1/2025, media outlets published a video claiming it showed “Al-Qassam fighters celebrating the ceasefire with Gaza residents.”
| Sources of verification | Sources of claim |
| التلفزيون العربي – Al-Araby TV كتائب الشهيد عز الدين القسام – Al-Qassam Brigades الجزيرة – Al Jazeera هيئة شؤون الأسرى والمحررين – Commission for the Affairs of Prisoners and Ex-Prisoners Al Jazeera Mubasher قناة الجزيرة مباشر Al Mashhad المشهد | موسكو – MOSCOW NEWS Arab-Military Ashraf Mamdouh نبض الحياة – The pulse of life مضايف النيرب الأولى – Madayef of the first Nairab |