Psychological dynamics and media influence on rumor propagation during the 2023–2024 Israel-Hamas war: a comparative analysis of early- and late-stage conflict

This study investigates rumor propagation during the 2023–2024 Israel-Hamas war. By examining the differences between the war's early (first month) and late (ninth month) stages, it explores how state (situational) and trait anxiety and psychological closeness interact with media consumption to affect rumor dissemination. A sample of Jewish Israeli participants was surveyed at the two timepoints. The findings indicated that while the level of rumormongering remained stable, the relationships between psychological factors and rumormongering varied. Social media platforms were consistently associated with rumormongering more than were mainstream media. The results underscore the importance of psychological factors in understanding rumor dynamics and highlight the role of media consumption patterns in shaping public responses during crises. These insights offer valuable implications for managing information and mitigating the spread of rumors in conflict situations, thus contributing to more effective crisis communication strategies.