Using Livestreams to Monitor Crises in Gaza and Beyond

November 9, 2023
[Aram Shabanian]

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But first, an important piece of advice: Do not rely solely on YouTube accounts that restream content. Always find the original source, if possible.

This is crucial because a number of users on YouTube and Twitch have gained remote access to cameras in conflict zones – first in Ukraine and now in Israel and Gaza. Sometimes their passwords have been changed so that only these users can use these cameras. However this happens, the result is that nobody else can access the original stream, thus nobody can verify that the information taking place on-screen is actually happening in real-time.

Considering that a number of these YouTube accounts have been found to restream old footage or add sound effects such as explosions to audio-free video streams, their utility for open source investigations is dubious at best.

Where to Look?
So which sources are most likely to pan out as high quality? For our purposes, the following news outlet-affiliated YouTube accounts are likely to provide regular livestreams from Gaza and the surrounding area:

MARCA
Reuters
El Debate
The Sun
Al Jazeera Mubasher

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