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Performing Violence - A Visual Analysis of Telegram Channels Linked to the IDF and Hamas after October 7th

Vanni, Irene LU (2025) SIMZ41 20251
Graduate School
Abstract
This research analyses the communication strategies of the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) and Hamas’ Al-Qassam Brigades on Telegram following the October 7th, 2023, attack. Focusing on 40 images and videos posted between October and December 2023, it investigates how visual content is used to perform violence, shape narratives, and legitimise actions. The study adopts a qualitative, social constructivist framework, combining Alexander’s cultural pragmatics with Castells’ theory of communication networks, and situates the findings within debates on digital militarism, imagefare, and narrowcasting. Results show that Telegram’s affordances, weak moderation, and selective accessibility enable both state and non-state actors to reach targeted... (More)
This research analyses the communication strategies of the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) and Hamas’ Al-Qassam Brigades on Telegram following the October 7th, 2023, attack. Focusing on 40 images and videos posted between October and December 2023, it investigates how visual content is used to perform violence, shape narratives, and legitimise actions. The study adopts a qualitative, social constructivist framework, combining Alexander’s cultural pragmatics with Castells’ theory of communication networks, and situates the findings within debates on digital militarism, imagefare, and narrowcasting. Results show that Telegram’s affordances, weak moderation, and selective accessibility enable both state and non-state actors to reach targeted audiences with graphic material that would be prohibited on mainstream platforms. The study contributes to comparative research on armed groups’ use of alternative social media, revealing the role of affective visuals in sustaining conflict narratives and reinforcing group identities during the war on Gaza. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Vanni, Irene LU
supervisor
organization
course
SIMZ41 20251
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
digital militarism, imagefare, Telegram, visual propaganda, Israeli Defence Forces (IDF), Hamas, Al-Qassam Brigades, narrowcasting, alternative social media, affective content.
language
English
id
9212376
date added to LUP
2025-09-19 13:35:01
date last changed
2025-09-19 13:35:01
@misc{9212376,
  abstract     = {{This research analyses the communication strategies of the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) and Hamas’ Al-Qassam Brigades on Telegram following the October 7th, 2023, attack. Focusing on 40 images and videos posted between October and December 2023, it investigates how visual content is used to perform violence, shape narratives, and legitimise actions. The study adopts a qualitative, social constructivist framework, combining Alexander’s cultural pragmatics with Castells’ theory of communication networks, and situates the findings within debates on digital militarism, imagefare, and narrowcasting. Results show that Telegram’s affordances, weak moderation, and selective accessibility enable both state and non-state actors to reach targeted audiences with graphic material that would be prohibited on mainstream platforms. The study contributes to comparative research on armed groups’ use of alternative social media, revealing the role of affective visuals in sustaining conflict narratives and reinforcing group identities during the war on Gaza.}},
  author       = {{Vanni, Irene}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Performing Violence - A Visual Analysis of Telegram Channels Linked to the IDF and Hamas after October 7th}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}