FACT CHECK: Does This Video Show Fire From An Explosion That Killed Hundreds Of Jewish People In Israel?

A video shared on Facebook purportedly shows fire sparked by an explosion in Israel that killed almost 650 Jewish people.

Verdict: False

The footage, taken in 2020, actually shows a fire in Egypt.

Fact Check:

The video shows a huge fire billowing with black smoke engulfing vehicles. A man can be seen falling down near the edge of the flames, with others coming to his aid and moving him further away. “#Bigbreakingnews, A big explosion happened in #Isreal where near about 650 Jewish people’s killed,” the video’s caption reads.

Conflict broke out between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas starting on May 10, with both groups firing rockets at each other, according to The Washington Post. Health Ministry officials are reporting 212 deaths in the Gaza Strip, and there have been 10 deaths in Israel as a result of the clashing, the outlet reported.

The video, however, does not show an explosion in Israel. Through a reverse image search of key frames, Check Your Fact found the video posted on YouTube by The Telegraph on July 16, 2020, with the title: “Ruptured crude oil pipeline sets off a huge fire in Egypt.” (RELATED: Does This Video Show Hamas Rockets Landing In The Gaza Strip?)

“A ruptured crude oil pipeline set off a huge fire on a desert road in Egypt, injuring 12 people,” the video’s description reads, in part. “Flames and clouds of dense, black smoke billowed over the road that stretches from capital Cairo to the city of Ismailia on the Suez Canal.”

Authorities said the fire was sparked on July 14 last year after an oil pipeline began leaking, Reuters reported. The fire likely started after motorists continued to drive by the pipeline, despite the pipeline and road where it had leaked being cordoned off, according to the outlet. While the video’s description says 12 people were injured, outlets such as The Washington Post and Reuters reported there were at least 17 people injured.

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