Palestinian residents of Gaza deepfake video — Oct 2026

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir released an AI-generated campaign video depicting the Gaza Strip as a devastated ghost town in 2030. The content was shared on the social media platform X to mock Palestinian residents remaining in the enclave ahead of upcoming parliamentary elections.

What happened

The campaign video utilizes AI-generated imagery to present a vision of Gaza where schools, infrastructure, and ports are reduced to rubble. The footage explicitly boasts of the destruction inflicted by the government. A specific scene in the video features a donkey accompanied by the message, “You’d have to be a donkey to stay in Gaza,” intended to mock those who refuse to leave the territory.

Ben-Gvir, the leader of the far-right Jewish Power party, has consistently advocated for the occupation of Gaza, the displacement of its Palestinian population, and the establishment of Israeli settlements. The release of this video occurs in the context of intense political competition ahead of the parliamentary elections scheduled for October 27. Arab parties have accused Ben-Gvir of utilizing the AI-generated content to exploit ongoing violence, rally his political base, and intimidate Arab voters. The video serves as a digital extension of his stated policy positions, framing the destruction of civilian infrastructure as a campaign achievement.