Deceptive Vacation Ad Suggests Ruins in Gaza as a Holiday Rental

Travelers searching for vacation spots in Israel recently encountered a misleading and alarming ad showcasing images from Gaza Strip as a vacation rental opportunity.

The ad falsely advertised an apartment rental supposedly located in Herzliya, featuring a picture of a war-torn area and building remains. The prices were exceptionally high.

"It was disturbing and dangerous," said Eli Bagaev, one of the users who reported the scam, to Channel 14. "The images displayed a devastated place rather than an apartment in Herzliya. It seemed like a severe scam, unsettling given the lack of oversight over property listings on booking platforms, as you don't know who you're paying. You might pay for a non-existent property. It's confusing and frightening."

The ad stated that the apartment had a garden view and was fully equipped, claiming it was suitable for couples and families. The cost per person was 8,424 shekels per night, 9,477 shekels for a couple, and 10,530 shekels for three guests.

Following Bagaev's report, the ad was removed. Bagaev added: "It's troubling to think that until the ad was removed, anyone trying to book this vacation was likely being charged."

Booking.com responded: "We take security very seriously and conduct numerous checks before a property is authorized to host guests. Property owners are responsible for ensuring all information on our platform is accurate. Additionally, we have teams dedicated to identifying and blocking suspicious activity around the clock. This property has been removed from our platform."