Merlyn Thomas
BBC Verify Correspondent
OSINT/ social media/ disinformation investigations
Instagram: merlyncthomas
- Reposted by Merlyn ThomasRos Atkins on... how the BBC is run As the fall-out from the resignation of both the BBC’s Director-General and CEO of News continues, our Analysis Editor examines how the organisation is governed & why the role of the BBC Board is crucial to this story. www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/...
- Reposted by Merlyn ThomasIsrael has destroyed more than 1,500 buildings in areas of Gaza that have remained under its control since the ceasefire with Hamas started on 10 October, satellite images reviewed by BBC Verify show. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
- New videos show executions after RSF militia takes key Sudan city. BBC Verify identified the shooting of an unarmed man sat amid dozens of bodies in the city of el-Fasher. We identified one RSF fighter, Abu Lulu, killing unarmed men in multiple videos. bbc.com/news/articles/cd9kjw515pyo
- Since our investigation the RSF have posted a video purporting to show the arrest of Abu Lulu - the man BBC Verify identifed carrying out executions of unarmed men in el-Fasher. Footage shows trucks arriving at Shala Prison on the outskirts of the city.
- For Palestinians, a line on a map can be the difference between life and death. BBC Verify found Israel is controlling more of Gaza than agreed in the ceasefire deal. Israel said anyone who crossed its "yellow line" would be “met with fire”. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
- Latest work from @benedictgarman.com @emmapengelly.bsky.social @matt-murphy96.bsky.social Israeli troops have been marking the "yellow line" with physical blocks. But we found in some parts they’re 100s of metres deeper inside the strip than Israel's own map released after the ceasefire deal.
- Multiple experts suggested the blocks were intended to create a "buffer zone" between Palestinians and IDF troops. "This gives the IDF space to manoeuvre and create a 'kill zone' against potential targets" @andreaskrieg.bsky.social
- The IDF didn't address the allegations when approached by BBC Verify, stating simply that: "IDF troops under the Southern Command have begun marking the Yellow Line in the Gaza Strip to establish tactical clarity on the ground."
- The White published a map of what a future Gaza would look like as part of a 20-point peace plan. BBC Verify analysis shows that the proposed 'final withdrawal' would still leave Gaza 15% occupied. Reporting w/ @benedictgarman.com Graphics @mesutersoz.com www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/...
- BBC Verify tasked new satellite imagery to track the Israeli military offensive in Gaza City in near real time. What we found was Israeli military presence deep into the city and closing in on its last remaining residents. Reporting with @benedictgarman.com @mesutersoz.com @herdjemimah.bsky.social
- Reposted by Merlyn ThomasOn Israel's destruction of prominent buildings in Gaza City w/ @merlynthomas.bsky.social @paulybrown.bsky.social @richib.bsky.social and @sebkilli.bsky.social www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/...
- NEW: Israel struck Nasser Hospital at least 4 times in its attack which killed journalists, BBC Verify found. We found Israel hit two staircases in the first wave. Minutes later it struck one of the staircases twice more. @benedictgarman.com @sebkilli.bsky.social www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
- Reposted by Merlyn ThomasIsrael hit Nasser hospital 4 times in its deadly attack on Monday. Analysis with @merlynthomas.bsky.social and Sebastian Vandermeersch. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
- Reposted by Merlyn ThomasWe geolocated the view out of the window as Jeremy Bowen's team filmed packages falling from a plane over Gaza yesterday. They were dropped into a "dangerous combat zone", which Palestinians are warned not to enter because it would put their lives at risk. www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cd...
- Reposted by Merlyn ThomasInvestigation by @merlynthomas.bsky.social and @emmapengelly.bsky.social prompts IDF to admit 'error' www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
- NEW: BBC Verify has uncovered a previously unacknowledged Israeli strike in al-Mawasi. The Israeli army admitted that the strike did not hit its intended "target" due to "technical or operational errors". W/ @emmapengelly.bsky.social www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
- Israeli troops fired more than 100 times during an attack which killed 15 emergency workers in Gaza, according to forensic audio analysis of footage commissioned by BBC Verify. Some gunfire was as close as 12 metres away. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
- Reposted by Merlyn ThomasA follow up to our previous piece tracking rebel forces in Syria w/ @paulybrown.bsky.social @shayan86.bsky.social @merlynthomas.bsky.social www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/...
- It’s been one week since rebel forces launched their largest offensive against the Syrian government in years. BBC Verify has been tracking rebel advances by analysing and tracking footage on social media. @paulybrown.bsky.social @benedictgarman.com www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/...
- Reposted by Merlyn ThomasBBC Verify tracks week of rebel advances in Syria, reporting from @merlynthomas.bsky.social, @benedictgarman.com, @paulybrown.bsky.social + many others. www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/...
- Reposted by Merlyn Thomaswww.bbc.co.uk/news/article... The biggest offensive against the government in years Here's BBC Verify's workings on rebel media in W Aleppo: bsky.app/profile/rich... And people leaving the area around the university: bsky.app/profile/rich... w/ @paulybrown.bsky.social, @merlynthomas.bsky.social
- Reposted by Merlyn ThomasHere’s a behind the scenes look at BBC Verify today: We’re fact-checking Robert F. Kennedy Jr’s views on health issues after Donald Trump nominated him to be the next US health secretary. Stay up to date with the BBC’s live blog here: www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c0...
