An image shared on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, claims to show Palestinian civilians being bombed by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) while getting water.
This is earlier today, Palestinians trying to get water in Gaza, the Israeli terrorist state bombed them. pic.twitter.com/RkKTzfzpZs
— Maree Campbell (@Campb37345Maree) October 22, 2023
Verdict: False
The video was likely taken in Sudan. The original video describes it as Rapid Support Forces (RSF) fighters being attacked by the Sudanese military.
Fact Check:
Israel has targeted Gaza with airstrikes, with the Hamas-led Gaza Health Ministry claiming that deaths have risen sharply in recent days, according to The New York Times. Israel has targeted Hezbollah in Lebanon, The Washington Post reported.
Social media users have been sharing an image claiming to show the IDF bombing Palestinians gathering water. This particular post reads, “This is earlier today, Palestinians trying to get water in Gaza, the Israeli terrorist state bombed them.”
However, this claim is false. Through a reverse image and keyword search, Check Your Fact found that the video was likely taken in Sudan and was published on X Oct. 12 by an account that focuses on Sudanese news. The video itself shows what appears to be a drone dropped from a grenade on a group of people, which results in flames being ignited and spreading quickly. (Disclaimer: the tweet embedded shows imagery that some people might find disturbing or graphic.)
مسيرة للجيش تستهدف مجموعة من مرتزقة مليشيا الدعم السريع، تجمعوا بغرض تزويد دراجاتهم النارية بالوقود.#السودان pic.twitter.com/KXOHm4GT0t
— Sudan News (@Sudan_tweet) October 12, 2023
“An army march targeting a group of Rapid Support militia mercenaries, who gathered to refuel their motorcycles,” the tweet reads.
The video was identified as taken place in Sudan by Funker530 and BBC Verify reporter Shayan Sardarizadeh. (RELATED: Hamas Official Falsely Claims Group Did Not Kill Any Civilians)
Check Your Fact could not find footage of the IDF using drone-dropped grenades, though it is possible it has occurred in the past. The IDF has remained secretive about its use of drones, not admitting until 2022 that it had unmanned drones and used them, according to Reuters.
Footage released by the IDF usually shows missile strikes from drones and aircraft, such as this drone strike in the West Bank or an Israeli airstrike on a claimed Hezbollah vehicle. (Disclaimer: the tweet embedded shows imagery that some people might find disturbing or graphic.)
IDF drone strike against armed terrorists in the Nour al-Shams camp, West Bank. pic.twitter.com/P4D7B5D0vb
— Joe Truzman (@JoeTruzman) October 19, 2023
Targeted airstrike on a vehicle in Lebanon transporting a cell that launched guided missiles – IDF. pic.twitter.com/9DS5iKosAT
— Joe Truzman (@JoeTruzman) October 21, 2023
A drone strike was carried out against a squad in southern Lebanon, near Mount Dov, preparing an anti-tank guided missile attack, the IDF says, publishing footage of the strike. pic.twitter.com/Ywt02uPT9z
— Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) October 21, 2023
Hamas has used drones to drop rocket-propelled grenades (RPG) and other explosives on Israeli military equipment, such as tanks, according to Haaretz. Hamas recently published footage of one of its drones dropping an RPG projectile on an Israeli Merkava tank. This footage was shared by weapons researcher Calibre Obscura on X.
#Gaza: Interesting footage of another al Qassam drone dropped PG-7R/al Yassin tandem HEAT RPG projectile against an Israeli Merkava Mk.4 tank east of Khan Yunis on thursday, causing damage to the rear of the turret. pic.twitter.com/CoYgIhwTtY
— Cᴀʟɪʙʀᴇ Oʙsᴄᴜʀᴀ (@CalibreObscura) October 20, 2023
Check Your Fact reached out to the IDF and experts for comment.
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