Bomb Gaza game removed from Google Play

The game was designed for Android devices and allowed users to “play” at bombing Gaza.

Since its release on the Google Play store on 29 July, it had been downloaded around 1,000 times for use on smartphones or tablets. But had many negative reviews, with one user calling it “shameful” and provoked complaints on social media on Monday.

According to the app’s description, the aim of the game was to control aircraft, drop bombs on cartoon militants, “and avoid killing citizens”. The description also said it was accompanied by “Israel’s theme music”.

Later in in the evening, the game had been removed and was no longer available to download. In a statement, a spokesperson for Google Play told Channel 4 News: “We remove apps from Google Play that violate our policies“.

Bomb Gaza was created amid a real-life conflict in the region, in which at least 1.800 Palestinians have been killed, most of them civilians, as well as 60 Israelis.

On Monday alone, the day the app was brought to wider attention, at least 20 people were killed in Gaza.

The app now appears to have been removed, but there are other games available that allow users to simulate the Gaza conflict. A similar game, titled Gaza assault: code red, also appears to have been removed, but others remain, including Iron Dome and one translated as Rocket Pride, that allows users to take control of a Hamas rocket.