Outdated Photo of a Blown-Up iPhone Resurfaces Amid Surge of Communication Devices in Lebanon
The Claim
iPhones exploding in Lebanon blowing up random people.
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Emerging story
Amid the recent surge in pager explosions in Lebanon, social media users widely shared a photo purporting to feature a blown-up iPhone. X users shared the image, fueling a buzz about whether iPhones were among the devices involved in the incidents. One X user posted the photo with the caption, “iPhones exploding in Lebanon blowing up random people.”
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar investigated the viral photo and found the claim to be misleading.
A reverse image search conducted by Misbar’s team found the photo to be unrelated to the recent device explosions in Lebanon.
Outdated Photo of a Blown-Up iPhone in Egypt
Contrary to social media users’ viral circulation of the photo, the photo is not related to the recent exploded devices in Lebanon that claimed the lives of dozens.
Misbar's investigative team traced the origin of the viral photo to March 19, 2021. According to the Egyptian outlet Cairo 24, the image shows an iPhone explosion that caused severe injuries, including a broken arm to a kid.
The outlet also published additional photos showing the completely destroyed iPhone and the child who was injured in the incident.
According to the report, a child named Hamza from Al Maadi, Egypt, suffered a broken arm while attempting to escape a fire that broke out after an iPhone exploded while it was charging.
Following the incident, the father filed a police report, accusing the iPhone company of negligence, stating that the phone was less than a month old.
Communication Device Deadly Explosions in Lebanon Kill 32
At least 32 people, including two children, were killed and thousands injured after communication devices, some reportedly used by Hezbollah, exploded across Lebanon on Tuesday and Wednesday. In a particularly devastating explosion on Wednesday, walkie-talkies detonated, killing 20 people and injuring over 450, according to Lebanon's health ministry.
The explosions came just a day after a sophisticated attack targeted thousands of pagers used by Hezbollah members.
Hezbollah Vows Revenge on Israel After Attack
Hezbollah accused Israel of orchestrating the unprecedented and deadly operation, alleging that explosives had been planted inside the pagers months earlier. The group vowed revenge for the attack.
A senior Lebanese security official, along with a second source, told Reuters that Israel’s intelligence agency Mossad, known for executing complex operations abroad, was behind the attack.
Hezbollah announced it is conducting a "security and scientific investigation" into the blasts, vowing that Israel will face "its fair punishment." Lebanon’s Information Minister, Ziad Makary, condemned the incident as an "Israeli aggression."
On Wednesday, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated, “We are at the start of a new phase in the war — it requires courage, determination and perseverance.” While he did not specifically mention the exploding devices, Gallant praised the efforts of Israel’s army and security agencies, noting that “the results are very impressive.”
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