What’s happening:

The Palestinian Authority (PA) has silently removed a controversial statement from its official website that wrongfully accused Israeli warplanes of being responsible for the massacre at the Re’im music festival, which resulted in the death of at least 350 people.

Why it matters:

The false claim had significant international repercussions, spreading rapidly and affecting Israel’s global image. The removal of the statement, although done without a public correction, is a tacit acknowledgment of its inaccuracy. This step is seen as a positive move by the United States, which has expressed satisfaction with the PA’s clarification that the narrative is not their official stance.

Background:

Originally, the PA had disseminated information suggesting that Israeli helicopters bombed their own citizens during the festival on October 7. This was quickly adopted and spread by Hamas to various international bodies, including foreign ministries and the United Nations. However, a police investigation reported by Haaretz indicated that the casualties were not a result of Israeli bombing, but rather a terrorist attack by Hamas.

The U.S. response:

The U.S. National Security Council has welcomed the PA’s decision to remove the misleading document. A spokesperson stated that the U.S. is pleased with the PA’s action to clarify its position, emphasizing respect for the victims and their families.

What’s next:

Despite the removal of the false statement, the PA has yet to issue a formal public correction. The international community and Israel will likely continue to monitor the situation for any further developments or statements from the Palestinian Authority.

This story was first published on ynetnews.