Political Media in Shaping Public Opinion and Managing International Conflicts: An Analytical Study of the Coverage of the Aggression on Gaza

In recent decades, international conflicts have undergone fundamental transformations. Traditional wars are no longer the sole focus of crises; rather, political and humanitarian crises have emerged as renewed forms that reflect the complexity of the international system and the interwoven nature of its relationships. In this context, the media plays a central role in shaping and managing these crises, with political media becoming a key tool in directing public opinion, constructing narratives around international issues, and influencing decision-makers.

The Palestinian cause stands as one of the most prominent examples reflecting the complexity of international crises, due to its overlapping political, humanitarian, and historical dimensions. The Israeli aggression on Gaza lies at the heart of this issue, representing one of the most pressing and prominent topics in global media discourse. For decades, Gaza has witnessed repeated rounds of military escalation, with civilians bearing a heavy toll amid a tragic humanitarian reality and widely divergent media coverage.

In these circumstances, political media has become a key player in the management of such crises, whether through on-the-ground coverage of events or by promoting various narratives that serve different political agendas. The media plays a decisive role in shaping both local and international public opinion through its diverse tools, such as news analysis, visual reports, and digital platforms. Media coverage is not merely a transmission of facts; it contributes to shaping perceptions, stirring empathy, or fueling polarization—making media a central actor in the course of a crisis.

The Israeli aggression on Gaza clearly illustrates the disparities in media coverage. There is a noticeable difference between Western and Arab media, as well as between official and independent outlets. While Arab media tends to highlight the humanitarian suffering and the impact of the aggression on civilians, Western media often focuses on security and political aspects, sometimes adopting narratives that justify the use of force or downplay the scale of the humanitarian tragedy. Additionally, digital media and social networking platforms have emerged as open arenas for exchanging narratives and challenging traditional ones.

The media coverage of the Israeli aggression on Gaza reveals the complexities of managing international crises. Media outlets face several challenges, such as media bias, political censorship, and the influence of major corporations and funders. Ethical and professional dilemmas also arise concerning the impartial reporting of facts amid a multidimensional conflict. This underscores the importance of studying the role of media in managing international crises, with a focus on the

Israeli aggression on Gaza, to analyze the extent to which the media can function as a neutral mediator or as an influential party in either escalating or resolving the conflict.

Given the challenges that media outlets encounter while covering international crises—and considering the ability of political media to carry out its role objectively and effectively in crisis management, especially in politically and humanely complex conflicts such as the Israeli aggression on Gaza—the following problem statement emerges:

How can political media function as an effective tool of pressure in managing international crises, and what is the impact of media coverage on shaping global public opinion regarding the Israeli aggression on Gaza?

1-The Conceptual Framework of Crisis Management and Media 1-1 The Concept of Crisis Management: Crisis management is a strategic process concerned with preparing for and responding to sudden events that threaten institutional, social, or security stability. This concept involves rapid crisis analysis, decisive decision-making, and coordination among different parties with the aim of minimizing losses and damage.

Hermann defines a "crisis" as: “Sudden and unexpected situations that require an immediate response to ensure control over their consequences.” (Hermann, 1963). This definition highlights the sudden nature of crises, which necessitates a swift and direct response. Crises such as natural disasters (earthquakes, floods) are unpredictable, and therefore require an immediate reaction from the relevant authorities.

William believes that “crisis management is a series of actions or decisions aimed at controlling the crisis or limiting its escalation so that it does not spiral out of control and lead to crises beyond our ability to manage. It is what ensures the preservation and protection of the vital interests of the organization.” (Williams, 1977)

‘Abdulkarim Ahmad Jameel’ defines it as: “A set of policies and procedures aimed at minimizing the losses resulting from sudden situations through effective coordination among the various parties involved, including the media.” (Jameel, 2016)

Jameel expands the concept to include coordination among stakeholders such as the government and the media. For example, during the COVID-19 crisis, coordination between the media and health institutions was crucial in delivering accurate information to the public, which helped reduce fear and raise awareness.

Fearn-Banks defines it as: “An interactive process that involves prior preparation and effective communication during the crisis, with the aim of minimizing damage and restoring normalcy.” (Fearn-Banks, 2016)

Fearn-Banks emphasizes the importance of advance preparation and continuous communication. For example, during crises such as the 2008 global financial recession, the media played a major role in providing citizens with essential information about economic measures.

From these various definitions, it is clear that crisis management involves more than just emergency response. It is a complex process that requires prior planning, coordination among different parties, and the importance of effective communication. Media plays a central role in this process, as it is impossible to imagine managing a crisis without transparent and rapid media that helps guide the public and protect society.

1-2 The Concept of Media in Crisis Management: Media during crises is not limited to simply reporting news; it plays a central role in shaping public opinion, guiding decision-making, and controlling the consequences of the crisis. Media has significantly evolved in the digital age, making its role in crisis management more complex and influential.

In this context, McQuail defines media in crises as “the means through which information about crises is conveyed to the public in order to guide their responses in line with crisis management requirements.” (McQuail, 2010)

This definition highlights that media plays a fundamental role in crisis management by transmitting critical information that influences public behavior. For instance, in the event of an environmental disaster such as an oil spill at sea, the media holds the responsibility of guiding the public toward necessary preventive measures to protect the environment and public health.

Aya Riyadh Al-Abd Al-Qader Bourzan defines media in crises as “an influential factor in shaping the perceptions of the public and decision-makers through controlling the nature of media messages and the manner in which they are presented.” (Bourzan, 2021)

This definition highlights that media in times of crisis is not merely a vehicle for conveying information, but a strategic tool for influencing public opinion. It can contribute to shaping narratives that serve the interests of certain parties during crises. In political crises and wars, for example, media is often used to sway public opinion either in favor of or against a specific side— such as in the Syrian crisis, where media played a significant role in fueling the conflict and shaping public perceptions.

Coombs defines media in crises as “the management of how the crisis is understood and guiding the public toward certain behaviors that support crisis management.” (Coombs, 2007)

This definition emphasizes the guiding role of the media in shaping the public’s understanding of the crisis and its influence on future actions. The media plays a significant role in reassuring the public about the general situation, which helps avoid collective anxiety.

Swart points to the strategic role of media in crises and its contribution to guiding the public. He states that “media in crises is not limited to disseminating facts, but also involves strategically guiding the public on how to manage the crisis in a way that ensures the achievement of the desired objectives.” (Swart, 2015)

From these definitions, it is clear that media is not only limited to reporting news about crises but goes beyond that to become an effective tool in shaping public opinion and guiding the behaviors of the public. The role of media as a strategic element in crisis management is also highlighted, as it influences the perceptions of people and decision-makers, reflecting a significant development in the concept of media in the context of crises.

1-3 Characteristics of Media in Crisis Management: Media in crises is characterized by several features that help improve the public's response and guide it toward correct actions. The most important of these characteristics are:

Accuracy and Transparency: Media during crises requires accuracy in conveying information to ensure that false news is not spread. Transparency in presenting events helps maintain trust between the public and authorities. For example, during the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill crisis, providing accurate details about the disaster and the actions being taken was crucial in reducing public panic. (Coombs, 2007)

Speed: Media must be quick in reporting news related to a crisis to minimize its consequences. In crises such as earthquakes or terrorist attacks, the media must rapidly provide information about the location of the incident, the measures to be taken, and evacuation points. (Hermann C., 1963)

Flexibility: Media during crises must be flexible and adapt to the rapidly changing nature of events. In the case of the COVID-19 crisis, for example, information changed constantly, requiring media messages to be adjusted periodically to align with the evolving situation. (Fearn-Banks, 2016)

Interaction: Interaction in the digital age between the media and the public has become a key feature. Social media facilitates communication between the public and media, allowing for quicker and more accurate responses. Media in crisis situations interacts with the public through platforms like Twitter and Facebook to provide real-time updates. (Swart, 2015)

These characteristics highlight the importance of media in crisis management. Media that is fast, flexible, and accurate enhances the community's ability to respond effectively to crises. Additionally, digital media, with its direct interaction with the public, plays a pivotal role in modern crises, as it can combine news reporting with real-time interaction with people.

• 2-    Media and Coverage of the Israeli Aggression on Gaza: Analysis of Roles and Trends

  In times of armed conflict, media plays a crucial role in shaping both local and international public opinion and directing the course of the conflict. This reflects an impact not only in traditional wars but also in psychological and informational warfare. In these contexts, media is not limited to simply reporting events as they are but plays a central role in determining how these events are interpreted and in guiding the public toward specific stances that may contribute to supporting one side of the conflict. This role becomes more apparent when discussing a complex and painful conflict like the Israeli aggression on Gaza, which saw extensive and contradictory media coverage. Each concerned party sought to use media as a tool to shape public opinion in its favor. (Bourzan, 2021)

Through analyzing the definitions provided by some thinkers in this field, we can understand how media contributes to shaping perceptions about a crisis and how it is used as a tool to influence political and social orientations. According to Wolfsfeld, "The media is a vital element in determining and shaping the dimensions of crises through the narratives presented." He believes that the media is not merely a tool for delivering news, but an active partner in shaping the understanding of a crisis. In the case of the Israeli aggression on Gaza, the media was the primary tool that helped shape public opinion, both within Palestine and on the international stage. Each side sought to present itself as the victim, while the other side was portrayed as an unjust enemy. These contradictory media narratives led to significant shifts in international community stances and directly influenced the policies adopted by governments and international organizations. (Wolfsfeld, 2011)

The media in times of war and conflict is considered the tool that gives each side the opportunity to present its own narrative, allowing it to portray itself as either a victim or an aggressor (Seib, 2004). This phenomenon was clearly manifested in the Israeli aggression on Gaza, where media from both sides (Israeli and Palestinian) presented contrasting narratives about the situation on the ground. While Israeli media promoted the idea that Israel was defending itself against terrorist attacks, Palestinian media portrayed the conflict from the perspective of resistance and the rights of the Palestinian people. This made media a pivotal factor in shaping and directing public opinion, not only at the local level but also internationally, as the gap widened between those who believe Israel is the aggressor and those who see the Palestinians as defending their land and rights (Al Jazeera, 2023).

These discrepancies in media narratives confirm that the media is not neutral in times of war; rather, it is used as a propaganda tool to promote the positions of the dominant forces in the conflict (Chomsky, 2003). In the aggression on Gaza, both Israeli and Palestinian media were known for their propaganda strategies aimed at achieving specific political goals. Israel sought, through its media, to portray itself as a defensive state fighting terrorism, while Hamas attempted to enhance the image of resistance and struggle against occupation. Thus, the use of media as a tool to direct the audience and shape global perceptions of the conflict reflected the deep interaction between politics and media, showing how media can be part of the war machine in modern wars (Times, 2023).

Media was one of the main tools in enhancing the "psychological battle" occurring worldwide during wars. In the Israeli aggression on Gaza, this psychological battle was not limited to reporting news, but also involved crafting messages aimed at influencing emotions and positions. Palestinian Arab media, by broadcasting the tragic images of Palestinian children killed in Israeli airstrikes, sought to provoke feelings of international solidarity, while Israeli media tried to present itself as a supporter of peace in the face of rocket attacks from Gaza. In this way, the media played a dual role: transmitting information and influencing public sentiment, making it a strategic element in managing the conflict (Al-Muhtasib, 2015).

2-1 Media Roles in Covering the Israeli Aggression on Gaza: When analyzing the media roles in covering the Israeli aggression on Gaza, we can see how this role ranges between several key functions, including:

• -    News and Information Transmission: This function is one of the most evident, as daily events are reported, such as airstrikes on Gaza, the number of dead and wounded, and statements from the United Nations and humanitarian organizations. In the recent aggression on Gaza in October 2023, international news agencies such as BBC, Al Jazeera, and Reuters provided immediate coverage of the conflict's details, helping to convey an accurate picture of the fighting and humanitarian massacres (Al-Jazeera, 2023).

• -    Influence on Local and International Public Opinion: The media contributes to shaping public opinion by presenting varying narratives about events. Both Israeli and Palestinian media used their platforms to direct the media discourse toward their political objectives, which helped bolster international support or condemnation depending on the declared biases. For example, Israeli media outlets such as Yedioth Ahronoth promoted the image of Israel as a state defending itself against missile attacks from Gaza, while Palestinian media outlets like Palestine Today, as well as Arab media such as Al Jazeera, focused on conveying the suffering of civilians under Israeli bombardment. Palestinian and Arab media also sought to present the image of resistance and struggle against occupation, which influenced the formation of public opinion in Arab and global countries (Al Jazeera, 2023).

• -    Incitement and Provocation: Media in armed conflicts can be used to inflame feelings of hatred and intolerance by focusing on crimes and attacks. In this case, both Israeli and Palestinian media were used to incite against the other side, including accusations of massacres and terrorism.

During the recent Israeli aggression on Gaza, Israeli media attempted to depict the brutal image of Palestinian resistance, while Palestinian media focused on Israeli massacres (Times, 2023).

• -    Documentation and Historical Recording: Media plays a role in preserving historical events for future generations. In the 2023 Gaza aggression, media outlets presented documented images and videos of Israeli airstrikes on residential buildings, which helped document the massive destruction. Many humanitarian organizations and international media outlets like BBC documented injuries among civilians and the impact of the attacks on children and the elderly in the Gaza Strip (BBC, 2023).

These roles show that media is not only about reporting news, but is also part of military and psychological strategies, and can have a profound impact on shaping international and societal public opinion during critical times. In the Gaza aggression, media played a central role in fueling the psychological and political conflict between the parties, with each side seeking to impose its narrative on the world stage.

2-2 Media Trends in Covering the Israeli Aggression on Gaza

Through studying the media coverage of the Israeli aggression on Gaza in 2023, several key trends can be identified, each reflecting a different approach to presenting the conflict by various media outlets:

First Trend: Israeli media focused on portraying the wars as defensive, highlighting the attacks carried out by Hamas against civilians in Israel, which were depicted as a threat to Israeli national security. Israeli media outlets published reports regarding the extent of the damage caused by Hamas rockets in Israeli cities. Additionally, Israeli media used various propaganda techniques to justify attacks on Gaza as part of Israel's right to self-defense (Ahronoth, 2023).

Second Trend: Palestinian media and some Arab media outlets, such as Al Jazeera, Al-Arabi, and Al-Mayadeen, focused on the suffering of Palestinian civilians in Gaza, shedding light on Israeli attacks targeting civilians. This reinforced the image of the conflict as an unequal struggle between a superpower and a weaker force. An example of this is the continuous coverage of Israeli airstrikes on hospitals and residential buildings in Gaza, which were broadcast through Palestinian and international media platforms like Al Jazeera to attract international attention to the tragedy unfolding in Gaza (Al Jazeera, 2024).

Third Trend: International media often adopt an analytical approach, addressing the roots of the conflict and the region's political history. These media outlets typically highlight the humanitarian aspects of the conflict and present the international community's stance on the aggression, while considering the balance of power in their coverage. For example, reports from

Reuters and France 24 highlighted the pressures faced by the United Nations and international bodies to find diplomatic solutions (Reuters, 2025).

These trends reflect that media during times of conflict operates within an ideological framework, with each side striving to shape a particular narrative about the events to strengthen its position. International media, for its part, approaches the issue with more analysis, but it is also influenced by certain political orientations, making media coverage part of the diplomatic and psychological battle in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

• 3-    The Role of Media in Pressure and Shaping Public Opinion in International Crises

3-1 Media in International Relations: Tool and Policy

Media is considered one of the tools of soft power strategically used in international relations to shape public opinion and construct narratives that support specific positions in international conflicts. Media does not merely transmit information; it shapes the public's perceptions of events, influencing international policies and prompting diplomatic actions.

Recent studies in 2023 have shown how media is used today in global conflicts, not only as a means of transmitting news, but also as a tool of pressure and threat to achieve political and strategic interests, including in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. (Abdelmohsen, 2023)

3-2 Functions of Media as a Tool of International Pressure in Conflicts Media plays a pivotal role in international conflicts, where it is used to achieve political and diplomatic objectives. In the Israeli aggression on Gaza, media served as an effective tool for directing international policies, enhancing pressure on the parties involved, and stimulating diplomatic actions through the transmission of human stories and images of civilian suffering.

One of the primary functions of media as a tool of pressure is shaping international public opinion on the conflict. For example, during the Israeli aggression on Gaza in 2014, media outlets such as Al-Jazeera and BBC highlighted military violations, including the targeting of civilians, prompting the United Nations and the international community to demand that Israel cease the attacks. (Al-Jazeera, 2023)

Moreover, media influences foreign policies by highlighting military and political practices that could provoke international reactions. During the Gaza conflict in 2021, global media focused on Palestinian casualties, which increased pressure on Western governments to reconsider their support for Israel or to move toward diplomatic measures to reduce the escalation. (Miller, 2023)

Moreover, media can stimulate international institutions to act swiftly by publishing reports on human rights violations. For example, during the 2008-2009 war, media coverage of violence against civilians in Gaza was a key factor in prompting the European Union to call for investigations into potential war crimes. (Baker, 2023)

3-3 Practical Examples of Using Media as a Tool of Pressure in the Israeli Aggression on Gaza: Many events have demonstrated how media was used as a tool of pressure in the Israeli aggression on Gaza, where media coverage directly influenced international policies. During the 2014 war (referred to as "Operation Protective Edge" by the Israeli army and "The Hungry Summer" by the Hamas resistance movement), media coverage from outlets such as Al-Jazeera and BBC was pivotal. They presented painful images of destruction in Gaza and human testimonies, which led to international pressure on Israel to meet certain humanitarian demands. (Abdelmohsen, 2023)

In the 2021 aggression, media coverage from outlets like Reuters and CNN was an effective tool in highlighting the damage to residential buildings and towers in Gaza, which spurred international pressure on Israel, prompting some countries to take a firmer stance in demanding the cessation of attacks. (Baker, 2023)

The academic and economic boycott campaign against Israel following the aggression on Gaza is another example of the role of media in stimulating political pressure. Through the publication of stories about the suffering of Palestinians, the media helped foster global boycott campaigns against Israel and its supporters' products, which impacted the international community and economic bodies. (Baker, 2023)

These examples reflect the significant role of media in stimulating international pressure by influencing public opinion. Media enhances diplomatic efforts and exerts pressure on governments and international institutions to take positions against the aggressor parties in the conflict.

4-Media Challenges in Managing International Crises

The role of media in international crises goes beyond just transmitting news or analyzing events; it becomes an effective tool for directing international policies, shaping public opinion, and delivering multi-faceted messages. However, this strategic role faces a set of significant challenges that limit its ability to effectively influence and manage crises objectively. These challenges include credibility and transparency, the spread of media wars and disinformation, the influence of major powers and media corporations on the media discourse, and, finally, censorship and restrictions imposed on media during times of conflict. Below is a detailed analysis of some of these challenges, with contextual analysis of recent international crises, especially the Israeli aggression on Gaza and the "Flood of Al-Aqsa" operation in 2023.

4-1 Credibility and Transparency Amid Media Wars and Disinformation: Credibility and transparency are among the most significant challenges faced by the media during crises, especially with the rise of "media wars" aimed at shaping narratives in favor of one side over the other. In the context of armed conflicts, disinformation becomes a key tool for manipulating public opinion, whether through broadcasting false news or spreading fabricated images and videos.

During the Israeli aggression on Gaza in October 2023, the conflicting parties used the media to promote contradictory narratives about the conflict. While Israeli media focused on the "Flood of Al-Aqsa" operation as a defensive attack against Palestinian rocket strikes, Palestinian and Arab media highlighted the civilian casualties and the humanitarian suffering caused by Israeli airstrikes. This media war created significant divisions in global public opinion, with some Western media showing a bias toward the Israeli narrative at the expense of the Palestinian one, leading to the marginalization of certain facts on the ground. (Rosenberg, 2023)

4-2 The Influence of Major Powers and Multinational Media Companies on Media Discourse

Major powers and multinational media companies significantly control the formulation of media discourse, especially during international crises. These institutions have the ability to set priorities for coverage and choose the angles that are highlighted, directly influencing the shaping of global public opinion.

• -    The Russia-Ukraine War as a Model: Western media focused its coverage of this crisis on what was termed "Russian aggression," while Russian media presented the opposite narrative, describing the war as a reaction to Western threats. (Miller R., 2023) Such selective coverage demonstrates how international crises can be used as tools to advance the agendas of major powers through the media.

• -    Flood of Al-Aqsa as a Model: During the "Flood of Al-Aqsa" operation, observers noted that major Western media outlets, such as "CNN" and "BBC," focused heavily on Israeli losses, with limited coverage of Palestinian suffering. In contrast, Arab media outlets like "Al-Jazeera" and "Al-Mayadeen" focused on documenting Israeli attacks on civilians and infrastructure in Gaza, creating a sharp divide in global media discourse. (Baker, 2023)

4-3 Censorship and Restrictions on the Media During Crises

Media censorship is a major challenge during periods of conflict, as governments and warring parties seek to restrict the flow of information to control the media narrative and reduce the impact of coverage that may harm their political position.

• -    Russia and Ukraine as an Example: In the context of the Ukraine war in 2022 and beyond, Russia imposed strict laws prohibiting the publication of reports that portrayed the Russian government negatively and closed many independent media outlets. On the other hand, Ukrainian journalists faced similar pressures to direct coverage in support of the war effort. (McNair, 2023)

• -    Palestine and Gaza: In Gaza, the media is subject to multiple forms of censorship, whether by the Palestinian Authority or by controlling factions such as Hamas. During the "Flood of Al-Aqsa" operation, some independent news websites that published reports differing from the official narrative were blocked. Additionally, Israel targeted Palestinian and international media offices during the airstrikes, as was the case with the "Al-Jalaa" tower, which housed offices of major agencies such as "Associated Press." (Al-Jazeera, 2023)

4-4 The Impact of Media Challenges on International Crisis Management

The lack of credibility, the increasing influence of major powers, and strict censorship complicate the process of managing international crises. Instead of providing a comprehensive picture of the crisis, these challenges mislead the international community, negatively affecting the response of international organizations and governments. In the "Flood of Al-Aqsa" war, media division made it difficult to unify the international stance, as Western countries sought to provide support for Israel based on prevailing media narratives, while Arab countries called for an immediate halt to military operations based on entirely different narratives. This contradiction directly impacted the effectiveness of diplomatic efforts to end the crisis. (Wolfsfeld, G, 2023)

Conclusion

In conclusion, it can be said that political media plays a pivotal role in managing international crises, especially in armed conflicts like the Israeli aggression on Gaza. It has become a key tool in shaping local and international public opinion and directing political discourse to serve the interests of the conflicting parties. However, this role is confronted with significant challenges, the most notable of which is media bias, which reflects pre-existing political positions. This is clearly evident in the stark contrast between Israeli media, which seeks to justify the practices of occupation, and Palestinian media, which highlights the humanitarian aspect and the suffering of civilians. It has become clear that media is used as a tool for international pressure through digital means and media platforms to influence global public opinion and achieve political or diplomatic gains. However, media credibility faces real threats due to the spread of misleading news and fabricated images as part of organized media wars. Moreover, the strict censorship imposed by some governments during crises hinders the objective transmission of facts. This conflict in media narratives leads to clear divisions in international positions toward the conflict, reflecting the profound impact that media has on the international community's response to crises.

In light of the findings of this study, a set of recommendations can be proposed to enhance the effectiveness of political media in managing international crises, specifically in armed conflicts such as the Israeli aggression on Gaza. First, it is crucial to enhance transparency and credibility in media work by ensuring that media outlets adhere to standards of neutrality and objectivity and implement professional monitoring mechanisms to combat misleading information and propaganda wars. Second, it is recommended to intensify specialized training programs for journalists in the field of crisis coverage, enabling them to professionally handle conflicts and document their humanitarian dimensions without bias. Third, support for cooperation between international media institutions should be encouraged to provide balanced coverage that contributes to the protection of human rights and reduces tensions. Fourth, media should focus more on the humanitarian aspects of crises and highlight the suffering of civilians, rather than being swayed by conflicting political discourses. Fifth, the changing media landscape necessitates investing in advanced technological tools, such as artificial intelligence, to monitor and combat the spread of fake news on social media and provide accurate, reliable content in real-time. Sixth, local media should be supported and provided with the necessary resources to document events quickly and accurately in order to counter biased narratives promoted by some foreign media outlets. This can be achieved by developing digital platforms and training national media personnel. Finally, a comprehensive strategy for managing social media content during crises should be adopted, which includes monitoring fake news, raising public awareness about the importance of source verification, and encouraging digital platforms to take responsibility for their social impact.