A video showing extensive destruction has gone viral on social media, asserting that “Iran has successfully destroyed 30 Israeli F-35 fighter jets, which were responsible for the massacre of 40,000 children.”
Similar claims can be seen here, here, here and here. (Archive link)
FACT CHECK
NewsMobile fact-checked the claim, and found it to be false.
Conducting a Reverse Image Search using the video keyframes, the NM team traced multiple media reports, featuring stills from the video, and showcasing the massive destruction. These reports had been published by newspapers like The Jerusalem Post, Middle East Eye, Dawn, and Entesaf, all dated February 13, 2024. According to Middle East Eye, the video depicts craters caused by Israeli bombardment in Rafah, located in the southern Gaza Strip, on February 12, 2024. The image, credited to Khatib/AFP, shows the aftermath of airstrikes that resulted in the deaths of at least 67 people, after Israeli forces targeted 14 homes and three mosques, as reported.
We also discovered the same video, posted on Reddit, dated February 13, 2024, with a caption: “Israel is so evil. They bombed refugee tent camps in Rafah last night. Over 200+ dead and counting.”
A further search revealed a video posted on the X handle of OnlinePalEng on February 12, 2024, with a caption: “Footage showing the massive destruction that Israeli forces inflicted on the so-called ‘safe zone’ of Al-Shaboura camp in Rafah.”
Footage showing the massive destruction that Israeli forces inflicted on the so-called ‘safe zone’ of Al-Shaboura camp in Rafah. pic.twitter.com/NTGAGj7WqI
— PALESTINE ONLINE 🇵🇸 (@OnlinePalEng) February 12, 2024
Thus, it is clear that the viral video originates from Rafah, and not related to the Iran-Israel conflict.
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