Mahmoud Basal and the Civil Defense Unit: A Case Study of BBC Arabic’s Uncritical Use of Official Gazan Sources
The Civil Defense unit in Gaza, voiced by spokesperson Mahmoud Basal, functions under the authority of the Hamas-run Ministry of Interior and National Security. Research into BBC Arabic’s reporting reveals a systemic and uncritical reliance on this unit as an impartial source, a practice that overlooks its direct affiliation with the Hamas regime.