This Image Does Not Show Israelis Fleeing to Shelters Following a Recent Hezbollah Attack
The Claim
The Haifa Municipality has announced the opening of All shelters and the cancellation of events that were planned for today.
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Emerging story
Recently, social media users have circulated an image claiming to show Israelis leaving their homes and fleeing to shelters due to a recent Hezbollah attack on Israel.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar investigated the claim and found it to be misleading. The image of Israelis fleeing to shelters is from 2014 and is not related to the recent Hezbollah attack on Israel.
Israelis Running to Shelters in 2014
The image dates back to July 9, 2014, and shows Israelis running to shelters in the southern city of Ashkelon. This occurred in response to air raid sirens warning of rockets fired from the Gaza Strip.
On July 7, 2014, Israel launched a large-scale assault on Gaza, aiming to stop rocket fire from Gaza targeting Israeli cities and settlements. In response, Palestinian resistance groups carried out military operations and fired several rockets at Israeli settlements.
Hezbollah Launches Attack on Israeli Sites
The claim began circulating after the Israeli military launched preemptive strikes on Lebanon early Sunday morning. In response, Hezbollah fired a large number of drones, confirming that they targeted a "high-value military objective." Media sources reported that Tel Aviv's municipality decided to open shelters in response to the attack.
Hezbollah conducted a broad assault with hundreds of rockets on Israel, stating it was an initial response to the death of commander Fuad Shukr. They added that their new operation began with "an aerial attack involving numerous drones targeting an Israeli military objective, which will be announced later." Hezbollah also reported firing over 320 Katyusha rockets at Israeli military sites and positions.
Later, Hezbollah announced the completion of the first phase of its Sunday operation, stating that it 'included targeting 11 Israeli military sites to facilitate the passage of drones toward their target inside Israel.'
Hezbollah Refutes Israeli Occupation Claims
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated during the Security Cabinet meeting on Sunday morning that "Israel detected Hezbollah's preparations to strike Israel early today, and as a result, orders were given to the army to preemptively strike."
In a statement from Netanyahu's office, it was said, "We detected Hezbollah's readiness to attack Israel early today. After consulting with the Defense Minister and the Chief of Staff, we instructed the army to act proactively to eliminate the threat."
Meanwhile, Hezbollah claimed that "the enemy's assertions about the preemptive actions it took, the targets it achieved, and its disruption of the resistance's attack are baseless. These claims will be refuted in a speech by Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah scheduled for later today."
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