Authors
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
Ruby leads editorial, operations and initiatives at Newschecker. In her former avatar at New Delhi Television (NDTV), India’s leading national news network, she was a news anchor, supervising producer and senior output editor. Her over a decade-long career encompasses ground-breaking reportage from conflict zones and reporting on terror incidents, election campaigns, and gender issues. Ruby is an Emmy-nominated producer and has handled both local and international assignments, including the coverage of Arab Spring in 2011, the US Presidential elections in 2016, and ground reportage on the Kashmir issue since 2009.
Claim
After Hamas attack on Israel, retaliatory strikes in Gaza have turned the sky red and the area is engulfed in fire
Fact check
Newschecker began by analysing the video comment section of the post on X (formerly Twitter) where multiple users were quick to label the video fake stating that it was fireworks, and not an airstrike. Notably, one user pointed out that it was from Algeria, from 2020.
Upon closer examination, we identified a watermark on the post that indicated it was originally shared on TikTok. Further investigation revealed that user @ramiguerfi41 had indeed posted the video on September 28, 2023, but it was later removed. This confirms that the video predated the Israel Palestine attack.
Keyword searches yielded additional videos that bore a striking resemblance to the viral video, such as the one shared by Newsflare on August 7, 2023. This particular video showcased a similar celebration featuring the use of fireworks.
Reuters too has discredited the claim and the agency identified that the video was shot in Rue Lahcen Mimouni in Algiers, using geo location.
Thus, we find that a video of celebrations post the football match win in Algiers, has been falsely linked to the Israel-Palestine conflict. However, Newschecker has been unable to get the original video or ascertain which it was first shared online.
Also Read: Video Of Celebrations Post Football Match In Algiers Shared As Israel’s Retaliation To Hamas Attack
Result: False
Our Sources
Report by Reuters, dated October 11, 2023
Report by Newsflare, dated August 7, 2023
Tweet by @DavsGYO, dated October 12, 2023
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Authors
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
Ruby leads editorial, operations and initiatives at Newschecker. In her former avatar at New Delhi Television (NDTV), India’s leading national news network, she was a news anchor, supervising producer and senior output editor. Her over a decade-long career encompasses ground-breaking reportage from conflict zones and reporting on terror incidents, election campaigns, and gender issues. Ruby is an Emmy-nominated producer and has handled both local and international assignments, including the coverage of Arab Spring in 2011, the US Presidential elections in 2016, and ground reportage on the Kashmir issue since 2009.
