2021 Video of Israel Bombing a Tower in Gaza Recirculates During Al-Aqsa Flood
The Claim
A video clip shows Israel's initiation of Operation Iron Swords, resulting in the bombing of a third Gaza tower and the elimination of Palestinian terrorists.
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Emerging story
During the Al-Aqsa Flood, social media users circulated a video clip claiming to show Israel's initiation of Operation Iron Swords, resulting in the bombing of a third Gaza tower and the elimination of Palestinian terrorists.
An X user published the footage along with the caption, “Moment Israel launched Operation Iron Swords. Israel destroyed third Gaza tower eliminated Palestinian Terrorists I stand with Isreal.”
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar investigated the circulating footage and found the claim to be misleading.
A thorough reverse image search revealed the video in question to be outdated.
2021 Video Shows Israel Bombing a Tower in Gaza
Contrary to the viral claim, the video making the round is not related to the recent unrest between Gaza and Israel. The video shows Israel's bombing of a tower in Gaza during the May 2021 war.
Al Jazeera’s YouTube channel published the original video on May 14, 2021. According to the video’s description, it features the moment when the 14-story al-Shorouq building, which housed media offices in Gaza City, was entirely demolished due to a series of Israeli airstrikes.
The BBC's YouTube channel also posted the video on May 15, 2021. In the video, an Israeli airstrike can be seen causing a building to collapse during a live BBC report.
Israel Launches Airstrikes on Gaza After Hamas' Operation
Israeli airstrikes have struck Gaza in the wake of Hamas' major military operation. Israel has declared a state of "war" in response to Hamas, which cited the desecration of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and escalating settler violence as motives for its actions. Hamas has claimed responsibility for launching thousands of rockets into Israel and sending fighters across the border.
This operation took Israel by surprise and followed instances where thousands of settlers had provocatively visited the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex in occupied East Jerusalem during the Jewish holiday of Sukkot. Furthermore, there has been a significant rise in Israeli settler violence against Palestinians over the past year, with the United Nations documenting an average of three such incidents per day during the initial eight months of 2023.
According to information from local media and healthcare personnel, these attacks have resulted in the deaths of at least 22 Israelis and have left hundreds injured. Mohammed Deif, a senior Hamas military commander, described these rocket attacks as the commencement of "Operation Al-Aqsa Flood" and urged Palestinians to resist Israeli occupation.
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