This Photo Does Not Feature the Martyrs of the Recent Rafah Massacre
The Claim
These are people who were burned alive by Israel while trying to escape in displaced persons' tents. They were burned by Israel in a camp that was supposed to be safe, in the most brazen response to the decisions of the highest international court.”
News posted on
Emerging story
In light of the recent massacre in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, social media users have widely circulated a photo claiming to show the victims burned in tents within a designated safe zone.
Ramy Abdu, the chairman of the Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor, shared the photo on Twitter, along with the caption, “These are people who were burned alive by Israel while trying to escape in displaced persons' tents. They were burned by Israel in a camp that was supposed to be safe, in the most brazen response to the decisions of the highest international court.”
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar investigated the viral photo and found the claim to be misleading.
After conducting a thorough reverse image search, Misbar’s team found the photo making the rounds to be older than claimed and unrelated to the recent Rafah’s massacre.
Outdated Photo Shows Martyrs of Al-Maghazi Camp Attack
Contrary to social media users' circulating claim, the photo shows Palestinians mourning their relatives, who were killed in an overnight Israeli attack on Al-Maghazi refugee camp on December 25, 2023.
This scene was shot during a mass funeral at the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir el-Balah, southern Gaza Strip.
Palestinian photographer Soliman Alfarra uploaded the photo to his Instagram account on December 25, 2023, crediting drone photographer Mustafa S. Thraya.
The accompanying caption reads, "An indescribable scene of dozens of martyrs in a brutal massacre committed by the Israeli occupation in the Al-Maghazi camp in Deir al-Balah in the Gaza Strip. Most of the martyrs are women and innocent children in their homes. The image alone is enough to show the extent of the brutality!"
Furthermore, photographer Mahmud Hams also captured the same scene for AFP. Al Jazeera Network uploaded his photo, stating that it features "Palestinians mourning their relatives, killed in an overnight Israeli attack on the Al-Maghazi refugee camp, during a mass funeral at the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir el-Balah, in the southern Gaza Strip, on December 25."
Overnight Israeli Attack on Al-Maghazi Refugee Camp
An Israeli military official has stated that the high death toll from an attack on Al-Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza was due to the use of improper munitions, highlighting concerns over Israel’s military tactics that have resulted in significant civilian casualties.
Speaking to the Israeli public broadcaster Kan, the official said on Thursday that the raid on Al-Maghazi, which killed at least 70 people, involved munitions that were not suitable for a densely populated refugee camp.
"The type of munition did not match the nature of the attack, causing extensive collateral damage which could have been avoided," the official told Kan. "The [Israeli army] regrets the harm to those who were uninvolved and is working to learn lessons from the incident," the official added.
Israeli Missiles Struck Tents in Rafah's 'Safe Area,' Killing 45 Palestinians
The death toll from an Israeli attack on displaced Palestinians in Rafah has risen to 45. On Sunday night, Israeli missiles struck tents in an area west of Rafah City that was supposed to be safe from attack.
On Monday, the Palestinian Health Ministry reported that 45 people, including 23 women, children, and elderly individuals, were killed in the attack, with 249 others wounded. Witnesses stated that at least eight missiles hit the camp, designated as a safe zone, on Sunday night at around 8:45 p.m. local time (17:45 GMT).
The Wafa news agency, quoting the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS), reported that many of the victims were "burned alive" inside their tents in the Tal as-Sultan area.
Israeli occupation forces have continued a ground assault despite an order from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to halt operations there.
Recent Developments from Israel’s War on Gaza
Since October 7, at least 36,096 Palestinians have been killed and 81,136 wounded in Israel’s strikes on Gaza. Gaza’s Health Ministry reported that 46 people were killed and 110 injured across Gaza in the latest 24-hour reporting period.
Israel's army continues its offensive in Rafah, with six people, including a doctor, killed near a hospital in northern Gaza as Israeli raids persist in the area. Witnesses speaking to Reuters reported that Israeli tanks and other army vehicles are advancing in central Rafah.
In addition, Kuwait Specialty Hospital, one of Rafah’s two remaining hospitals, has shut down due to Israeli attacks.
Read More
This Video Does Not Feature Three Gazan Children Faking Their Deaths in Rafah
The Video Does Not Show Palestinians Fleeing Rafah After Recent Israeli Threats
