A computer game called “Fursan al-Aqsa: The Knights of the Al-Aqsa Mosque” allows the player to assume the role of a Hamas terrorist, become a suicide bomber and kill IDF soldiers.
Originally developed three years ago by a Palestinian who identified himself as a devout Muslim, the game, updated following the Hamas massacre, has long sparked controversy.
The game comes with a content warning from Brazilian authorities and uses the Unreal Engine, developed by Epic Games, maker of the popular Fortnite multiplayer shooter.
In the Steam online forum, where it is currently sold at a discounted winter price, the developer, Nidal Nijm, writes that it serves as a means to “raise awareness” about the war in Gaza, the Israeli website Ynet reported.
The actions required for the player to win the game are extremely violent, and the methods for neutralizing Israeli security officials include suicide bombings, slitting throats or decapitation, similar to the actions of Hamas terrorists during the Oct. 7 attack. The locations are taken directly from IDF bases surrounding Gaza, and the game encourages players to attack security personnel there.
While the Oct. 7 massacre targeted mainly civilians, the game deals with attacking Israeli soldiers and police.
Players are also tasked with fighting against Israeli security forces in a recreation of recent Israeli military operations against terror groups in the city of Jenin.