Steam Pulls Hamas-Inspired Game Following UK Police Intervention

The video game Operation al-Aqsa Flood, which allows players to simulate aspects of the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, has been removed from the Steam platform in the United Kingdom, Al Jazeera reports.

The removal follows a request from the UK’s Counter-Terrorism Internet Referral Unit (CTIRU), according to emails seen by the news outlet and statements from the game’s developer.

The game, an update to the 2022 title Fursan al-Aqsa: The Knights of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, features a cut scene depicting a hang glider attack on an Israeli military base, mirroring tactics employed by Hamas during the October 7th assault. The scene also includes the execution of unarmed soldiers.

Developer Nidal Nijm, a Brazilian Muslim, insists the game is a political statement, not an endorsement of Hamas. He stated that the game’s provocative cut scene was intended to “trigger Zionists,” while gameplay itself penalizes players for harming civilians. He also emphasized that his father’s involvement with Fatah during the Lebanese Civil War influenced his work. Despite this, the game’s depiction of violence, particularly the execution scene, has drawn considerable criticism.

Valve Corporation, Steam’s parent company, confirmed in an email to Nijm that they removed the game at the CTIRU’s request but offered no further details. Neither Valve, Steam, nor the Metropolitan Police have publicly commented on the matter.

While Operation al-Aqsa Flood remains available in many other countries, its removal from the UK highlights the sensitivities surrounding its content. The game has already garnered mixed reviews on Steam, with some praising its political message while others criticize its graphics. Steam itself has faced prior social media criticism for hosting pro-Palestinian content.

The October 7 Hamas attack claimed the lives of at least 1,139 Israelis and wounded over 8,700, according to Israeli authorities. Israel’s subsequent military operations in Gaza have resulted in at least 44,282 Palestinian deaths and over 104,000 injuries, according to Gaza authorities.