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The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) has accused a prominent journalist reporting regularly for Qatar-based Al Jazeera from Gaza, of moonlighting as a senior Hamas commander. The IDF’s Israeli Arabic spokesman, Lieutenant Avichay Adraee, took to social media to claim that a laptop allegedly belonging to Muhammad Washah was recovered by the IDF in the northern Gaza Strip.

According to Adraee, the laptop contained pictures that allegedly prove Washah’s involvement as a senior Hamas military operative. The images depict the 32-year-old journalist handling various weaponry, including rocket-propelled grenade devices and weaponised drones, similar to those used by the Hamas fighters during the October 7 attacks. Additional photos allegedly show Washah engaged in activities related to the development of aerial weapons for the Palestinian group.

“A laptop that belonged to Muhammad Washah, an Al Jazeera journalist, was recovered by IDF in the northern Gaza Strip. It has pics proving he also serves as a senior Hamas military operative in the anti-tank missile array and in late 2022 he moved to work on R&D of aerial weapons for the organisation. Intelligence analysis carried out on the computer includes photos linking subject to his Hamas activity,” Adraee claimed.

A laptop that belonged to Muhammad Washah, an @AlJazeera journalist, was recovered by IDF in the northern Gaza Strip. It has pics proving he also serves as a senior Hamas military operative in the anti-tank missile array and in late 2022 he moved to work on R&D of aerial weapons… https://t.co/U2q1mqOWXz

— افيخاي ادرعي (@AvichayAdraee) February 11, 2024

The IDF’s intelligence analysis conducted on the seized laptop allegedly establishes a connection between Washah and his alleged Hamas activities.

Taking to social media, the IDF directly addressed Al Jazeera, stating, “Hey Al Jazeera, we thought you journalists were supposed to give unbiased reports on situations, not actively participate in creating them on the front lines as Hamas terrorists.”

Washah, a Gaza native, has appeared as a reporter on multiple Al Jazeera TV broadcasts in recent months, as well as in several online reports. A November 2023 article specifically mentions “Al Jazeera’s Muhammad Washah” reporting from the scene of the IDF’s operation in the Nuseirat refugee camp. This camp housed the Hamas Nuseirat battalion, which the IDF claims was responsible for attacks on Kibbutz Be’eri on October 7.

As of now, neither Al Jazeera nor the Qatari government has responded to the serious accusations leveled against Washah. This development comes at a time when Al Jazeera faces pressure from Congressional Republicans in the United States, who are advocating for the network to register as a foreign agent due to its funding and control by the government of Qatar.

This isn’t the first instance of an Al Jazeera journalist being accused by the IDF of having ties to a Palestinian militant group. The IDF has previously highlighted similar allegations against other individuals associated with the media organisation.

In a big blow to the Congress in Maharashtra months ahead of the general election and state polls, former chief minister and former MP Ashok Chavan resigned from the party’s primary membership amid reports that he was in talks with the BJP. The senior leader may get a ticket to the Rajya Sabha, according to sources.

Mr Chavan, who represents Bhokar in the Assembly, met Speaker Rahul Narvekar and handed in his resignation. If he joins the BJP, it will be the second big switchover in Maharashtra after Congress leader Milind Deora quit the party last month and joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.

Earlier, BJP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had been asked if Mr Chavan is joining the party. “I heard about Ashok Chavan from media. But only thing I can say now is that several good leaders from Congress are in touch of BJP. Those leaders who are connected with the masses are feeling suffocated in Congress. I am confident that some big faces will join Congress,” he had then said.

According to Congress sources, Mr Chavan’s differences with state party chief Nana Patole on selection of candidates may have played a major role in his decision to switch sides.

Son of former Maharashtra Chief Minister Shankarrao Chavan, Ashok Chavan wields significant influence in the Nanded region and this switch may hurt the Congress in the upcoming polls. This also plays out against the backdrop of the tall poll challenge facing the Maha Vikas Aghadi — comprising the Uddhav Thackeray faction of Shiv Sena, the Sharad Pawar camp of NCP and the Congress.

Ashok Chavan has had an eventful political journey so far. Starting out as a student leader during his college days, he went on to hold key posts in the Congress, including Maharashtra Congress chief and a member of the Congress Working Committee. He has served as an MP from Nanded on two occasions and been a member of both Houses of the state legislature.

After serving as state minister, he was chosen for the Chief Minister post after Vilasrao Deshmukh stepped down in the aftermath of the 2008 terror attacks in Mumbai. The Congress retained him on the top post after the 2009 state polls. The stint was, however, short as Mr Chavan was forced to step down amid corruption allegations related to the Adarsh Housing Society scam.

Responding to Mr Chavan’s decision, senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh took a “washing machine” jab — washing machine is an oft-repeated reference the Congress uses to accuse the BJP of stalling criminal investigations against Opposition leaders who switch to their side. 

When friends and colleagues leave a political party that has given them much—perhaps much more they deserved—it is always a matter of anguish. But to those who are vulnerable, THAT Washing Machine will always prove more attractive than ideological commitment or personal…

— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) February 12, 2024

“When friends and colleagues leave a political party that has given them much — perhaps much more they deserved—it is always a matter of anguish. But to those who are vulnerable THAT Washing Machine will always prove more attractive than ideological commitment or personal loyalties,” Mr Ramesh said. “These betrayers don’t realise that their exit opens up vast new opportunities to those whose growth they have always stunted,” he added.