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

In recent decades, there have been significant transformations in the nature of international conflicts, with political and humanitarian crises emerging as a new facet that complicates international relations. A central role has increasingly been played by political media in shaping narratives and influencing public opinion and decision-makers. The Palestinian issue—particularly the Israeli aggression on Gaza—stands out as a prominent example of this complexity, where political and humanitarian dimensions intertwine amid divergent media coverage between international and Arab outlets. This study aims to analyze the role of political media in managing international crises, using the Israeli aggression on Gaza as a case study. It focuses on how media coverage is employed as a tool for international pressure and its impact on shaping global public opinion. The study also highlights the differences in media discourse, as well as the professional and ethical challenges faced by media outlets in objectively reporting events, especially in light of censorship, media bias, and the spread of misinformation. The study concludes that political media not only plays a role in reporting events but also actively contributes to directing the course of crises, achieving political gains, or intensifying polarization, making it a central actor in the dynamics of international conflict management.