Terror Police Ban Controversial Video Game Depicting Hamas Terrorist Acts

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British counter-terrorism police have taken action against a video game that allows players to simulate violent acts resembling Hamas’s Oct. 7 attacks on Israel. The game, titled *Fursan al-Aqsa: The Knights of the Al-Aqsa Mosque*, was removed from the UK’s Steam marketplace following an order from the Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit (CTIRU).  

 

The game drew widespread condemnation for its controversial content, which includes scenes of players paragliding into an Israeli military base and killing soldiers. Although the game does not directly reference Hamas, its depiction of terrorists wearing green headbands closely resembles those commonly associated with the group. A promotional trailer for the game added to the controversy by featuring provocative text such as, “Where are those who carry the explosive belts? I want an explosive belt to blow up myself over the Zionists!”  

 

Nidal Nijm, the Brazilian-Palestinian creator of the game, defended it as a political statement on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He described the game as enabling players to “relive the iconic day on which the brave Palestinian resistance humiliated Israeli military forces.” Nijm criticized the UK’s decision to ban the game, claiming it was labeled as “terrorist propaganda” by British authorities.  

 

In addition to the Oct. 7-inspired update, earlier versions of the game reportedly allowed players to control Hamas-style terrorists. A report by 404 Media detailed other graphic elements, including a scene in which a terrorist beheads an Israeli soldier and kicks the severed head.  

While *Fursan al-Aqsa* has been banned in Austria, Germany, and the UK, it remains available for purchase in the United States, priced at $14.99 (£11.96).  

 

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson stated that the CTIRU assesses and addresses extremist material found online, working with tech companies to remove content that violates UK terrorism laws. They emphasized that investigations may follow if material is found to breach the law, though they declined to comment on specific cases.  

 

Valve, the U.S.-based company that operates Steam, has yet to issue a public response regarding the game’s removal in certain countries.  

The incident has reignited debates about the boundaries between political expression and incitement, particularly in media and entertainment. While supporters of the game argue that it offers a perspective on the conflict, critics contend that its violent imagery and themes amount to glorification of terrorism.

 

Based on a report by Daily Telegraph 2024-11-28