Old Israel rocket attack video miscaptioned; predates current Hamas conflict | Fact check
The claim: Video shows rockets fired during 'new air assault' against Israel
An Oct. 8 video (direct link, archive link) on X, formerly Twitter, shows flashes of light in the night sky above a city skyline.
"BREAKING – Hamas militants started a new air assault on parts of Israel," reads the video's caption.
The video was reposted more than 100 times in four days. Similar posts were shared on Facebook.
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Our rating: False
The video is miscaptioned. It shows rockets fired at Israel from Gaza during a conflict in May 2021.
Video shows rockets fired at Israel during clashes in May 2021
When the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a deadly surprise attack against Israel on the morning of Oct. 7, it fired thousands of rockets, overwhelming Israel's sophisticated missile defense system.
But the X video doesn't show the October crisis. The same video was posted by the social media accounts of the Israel Defense Forces on May 19, 2021, with text that reads, "4,000 rockets fired at Israel in 10 days."
Fact check: Video shows Israeli airstrike in Gaza in May, not current attack
That same month, fighting broke out when Hamas militants in Gaza fired long-range rockets toward Jerusalem, the Associated Press reported. The conflict followed days of clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli police at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.
A cease-fire agreement eventually brought an end to the 11-day war, but more than 200 people were killed in the fighting. Hamas, along with other militant groups, fired more than 4,000 rockets at Israel during the conflict, according to Reuters.
Reuters also debunked the claim.
USA TODAY reached out to the social media user who shared the post for comment but did not immediately receive a response.
Our fact-check sources:
USA TODAY, Oct. 9, Maps and graphics show how Hamas militants' deadly raid unfolded – and how fighting will get worse
Israel Defense Forces, May 19, 2021, Facebook post
Israel Defense Forces, May 19, 2021, X post
Associated Press, May 21, 2021, Israel, Hamas agree to cease-fire to end bloody 11-day war
Associated Press, May 10, 2021, EXPLAINER: What’s behind the clashes in Jerusalem?
Reuters, May 20, 2021, Israel and Hamas both claim victory as ceasefire holds
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Video shows rockets fired at Israel during May 2021 clash | Fact check
