One platform that has taken center stage in this narrative is TikTok, the popular short-form video app. TikTok as a News Source When war broke out between Israel and Hamas, TikTok quickly swelled with discussion and content.

TikTok: A Hub for War Discourse

As the conflict unfurled, TikTok witnessed an unprecedented surge in discussions and content related to the Israel-Hamas war. Hashtags like "Palestine" and "Israel" transformed into virtual epicenters, accumulating billions of views. Users worldwide turned to the platform, seeking updates and insights into the conflict.

A Compelling Narrative: Leila Warah's Perspective One individual who notably stood out amidst this digital maelstrom was Leila Warah, a 25-year-old journalist residing in the West Bank. Through her TikTok channel, she presented a unique viewpoint, that of a young Palestinian-American living in a West Bank refugee camp.

The Dominant Influence of Social Media

This surge in TikTok's relevance serves as a stark reminder of the pervasive influence of social media platforms in shaping our comprehension of global events. Studies show that members of Generation Z are more likely to turn to TikTok than Google as a source of news. However, it's important to note that while TikTok can spread both truth and fiction about the conflict, it has played a positive role overall. As Noam Schwartz, co-founder and CEO of ActiveFence Ltd., an Israeli company which builds technology for trust and safety teams in big tech platforms, stated: “People would not believe the magnitude of this event without it being amplified in social media."