Fact-check analysisVerified as of September 2, 2025Curated by FactVerify
Misleading

Those are separate skirmishes, but always started by the Palestinians

The claim that all separate skirmishes are always started by Palestinians is an oversimplification and not supported by the complex historical and current evidence.

Palestinians warned of a genocide in 2023. Why weren’t we believed? - Ahmad Ibsais | The Guardian

Palestinians warned of a genocide in 2023. Why weren’t we believed? - Ahmad Ibsais | The Guardian

Source: theguardian.com

At a glance

Key Evidence

Verified September 2, 2025
The reporting

What the Evidence Shows

The Israel-Palestinian conflict is a long-standing, multifaceted dispute involving numerous incidents of violence and skirmishes over many decades, with both sides having engaged in acts of aggression at different times.bbc.combbc.comIsrael and the Palestinians: History of the conflict explainedreuters.comreuters.comWhat's the Israel-Palestinian conflict about and how did it start?

Historical timelines and analyses show that the conflict's origins and subsequent flare-ups cannot be attributed solely to one party initiating violence; rather, there have been cycles of retaliation and provocations from both Israelis and Palestinians.un.orgun.orgHistory of the Question of Palestinezinnedproject.orgzinnedproject.orgUnderstanding the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict: A Primer

Recent events, including surprise attacks by Hamas on Israel, are documented as part of ongoing hostilities but do not establish a pattern that Palestinians always start every skirmish. Similarly, Israeli military actions have also contributed to escalations.reuters.comreuters.comWhat's the Israel-Palestinian conflict about and how did it start?

Opinion pieces and reports highlight the humanitarian consequences and political complexities without assigning unilateral blame for all incidents to Palestinians.newsweek.comnewsweek.comRecognizing a Palestinian State Is Important but No Substitute for Ending the...npr.orgnpr.org'We didn't do enough': How U.S. policy failed Palestinians in Gaza : NPR+1 more

Therefore, the statement ignores the nuanced reality of mutual hostilities and the broader geopolitical context. It is an oversimplification that does not align with the evidence from multiple reputable sources.

Primary trail

Verified Sources7

Israel and the Palestinians: History of the conflict explained

bbc.com
Open source

What's the Israel-Palestinian conflict about and how did it start?

reuters.com
Open source

Recognizing a Palestinian State Is Important but No Substitute for Ending the...

newsweek.com
Open source
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