FILE – In the aftermath of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack near the Israeli-Gaza border, volunteers from the ZAKA rescue service are seen removing blood stains from a public bomb shelter on a nearby road. This incident, which occurred on Nov. 20, 2023, sparked allegations of sexual assault, but some claim that these accounts were deliberately fabricated. While Zaka officials and others deny these claims, an examination by AP reveals how information can become distorted and obscured in the chaos of conflict. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg, File)
FILE – On Oct. 13, 2023, Israeli soldiers inspect the site of the Nova music festival, where at least 260 festival-goers were killed in an attack by Hamas militants near the border with the Gaza Strip in southern Israel. Amidst the tragedy, there were allegations of sexual assault, but Zaka officials and others dispute these claims. Nevertheless, AP’s investigation into Zaka’s handling of these now debunked stories highlights the potential for information to be distorted and muddled during times of conflict. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit, File)
FILE – On Oct. 12, 2023, the site of the Nova music festival, where at least 260 Israeli festival-goers lost their lives in an attack by Hamas militants near the border with the Gaza Strip in southern Israel, is seen. Amidst the chaos and devastation, there were accusations of sexual assault, but Zaka officials and others reject these claims. However, AP’s analysis of Zaka’s handling of these false reports demonstrates how information can be distorted and obscured during times of conflict. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg, File)