Fact Check: Old image of journalist with bandaged face linked to ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict

Hyderabad: An image reportedly of a journalist reporting with a bandaged face is doing rounds on social media. Those sharing it suggest that she was attacked by an Israeli grenade in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.

An X user shared the image with the caption, “Journalist Hana Mahameed back on screen after being hit in the face by an isra*li grenade. Was Hamas hiding in her face?#CeasefireForGazaNOW. (sic)”

Several Facebook users shared the image claiming the same.

Fact Check

NewsMeter found that the image of bandaged Hana Mahameed is from 2015 when she was wounded during a clash between the Israeli police and Palestinian protesters in East Jerusalem.

Upon a reverse image search, we found the image in a 2015 report by the Independent titled ‘Journalist Hana Mahameed back on screen after being hit in the face by ‘Israeli grenade’ in East Jerusalem.’

The report said that Hana Mahameed, an Arab-Israeli reporter, worked for Lebanon-based Al-Mayadeen TV. She appeared on the screen shortly after she was struck by a grenade allegedly fired by Israeli forces.

We also found the video of Mahameed reporting with a bandaged face in a 2015 report by The Guardian. The video also contained a clip of Mahameed screaming in pain after she was hit in the face and the bystanders helping her by removing her flak jacket. The report also mentioned that she was allegedly hit by a projectile grenade fired by the Israeli police.

Ynetnews, an Israeli news website, also carried the viral image in a 2015 report. It said that she was wounded by shrapnel from a stun grenade that was thrown towards rioters while she was conducting a live broadcast during clashes in Issawiya.

Hence, we conclude that the image is from 2015 and does not show the journalist reporting the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. The claim is misleading.