FACT CHECK: Image Claims To Show Israeli Finance Minister Taking Cover In A Bomb Shelter?
The text discusses a misleading claim circulating on social media that suggests Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich was hiding in a bomb shelter during recent hostilities with Hezbollah. An image purportedly showing him in a shelter was shared with the assertion that it documented his concealment following threats he made to invade Lebanon. However, fact-checkers have clarified that the image is actually from October 7, 2023, and does not relate to the current conflict. Recent reports indicate that while there have been escalations between Israel and Hezbollah, a wider war has been averted. The situation has led to various social media narratives, but the claims about Smotrich are deemed misleading.
An image shared on X claims to show Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich taking cover in a bomb shelter.
Israeli Finance Minister Smotrich, who previously threatened to invade Lebanon, was found today taking shelter in Israeli bomb shelters.#Hezbollah #lebonan #Israel pic.twitter.com/Jb2m0L0aDc
— War Analysis (@iiamguri9) August 26, 2024
Verdict: Misleading
The image is from October 7, 2023. It is not from the recent fighting between Hezbollah and Israel.
Fact Check:
Israel and Hezbollah have averted a wider war, though this was after a large exchange of attacks between the two forces, according to The Associated Press.
Social media users are claiming to show Smotrich hiding after threatening to invade Lebanon. One user wrote e,”Israeli Finance Minister Smotrich, who previously threatened to invade Lebanon, was found today taking shelter in Israeli bomb shelters.”
Through a reverse image search, Check Your Fact found that the image is from October 7, the day that Hamas and other Gazan groups/civilians attacked southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and kidnapping 250. The image was shared by Kan, according to Lebanese outlet Al Mayadeen.
“Occupation ministers flee to shelters,” reads the image description. (RELATED: No, Video Of A Patriot Launcher Is Not From Ukraine)
Check Your Fact could not independently verify who is in the image. Misbar also debunked the claim.
European Union foreign ministers are discussing whether or not to sanction Smotrich, according to the Jerusalem Post.
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