On June 7 and 14, Israel carried out airstrikes on the Ghobeiry area of Beirut’s southern suburbs and other locations in Lebanon, citing Hezbollah infrastructure as the target. Lebanese authorities reported casualties, including at least two deaths and several injuries on June 7 and a Hezbollah commander killed on 14 June. These strikes occurred despite a previous ceasefire, drawing widespread condemnation.
In the above context, a video is being widely shared on social media in which massive explosions and smoke billowing over a densely built urban area can be seen.
The video is shared with a caption suggesting that it shows recent Israeli airstrikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs.
A social media user shared the video with a caption that reads, “Big blow to Iran & IRGC. Israel launched huge airstrikes against Iran-backed Hezbollah in Beirut’s Dahieh. At least 50 Hezbollah terrorists killed in this strike. Iran has put a condition to stop ops against Hezbollah in the so-called peace deal which is rejected by Israel.”
SouthCheck found that the viral claim is misleading. The viral video is old and shows a 2023 Israeli strike on Gaza, not the recent attacks on Beirut.
On a Google reverse image search, we found that the same video was shared by a Palestinian journalist on his X account on October 25, 2023.
The video is shared with a caption that reads, “Extremely intense Israeli bombings in Gaza city.”
We further found that the video was also shared by a Middle Eastern website, Al Rawiya, on October 25, 2023, with a caption that reads, “Screengrab from reporter Younis Tirawi’s status, showing bomb clouds over Al Saraya, following intense Israeli bombings in Gaza City. October 25, 2023. Posted by Younis Tirawi on X.”
While the article associated with the image suggests that Palestinians and researchers use Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) and counter-mapping techniques to document Israeli military actions in Gaza and the West Bank. By combining eyewitness videos, satellite imagery, geolocation tools and field research, they create verifiable evidence of attacks and human rights violations.
The author argues that counter-mapping helps Palestinians challenge dominant narratives, preserve documentation and support efforts for international accountability and justice.
The video was also shared by a website, 15minute, on October 25, 2023, with a caption that reads, “Israel is attacking the Gaza Strip intensively.”
The screenshot was also shared by YNet News on October 27, 2023. The caption suggested that it was about IDF airstrikes in Gaza.
Hence, we can ascertain that the viral video is old and unrelated to Israel’s recent attack on Lebanon.
