Video of people evacuating a beach dates to 2021, not related to Israel-Palestine unrest in May, 2023
It was shared as showing the Tel Aviv beach
(Reuters) - Video of people evacuating a beach as sirens blare in the background dates to at least 2021 and is unrelated to the exchange of rockets and airstrikes between Israel and Gaza in May 2023.
“Rocket sirens going off in Tel Aviv earlier today. People on the beach running to shelters” read one post sharing the video on Facebook on May 11, 2023 (here). Another can be seen (here).
While Reuters could not verify the source of the video, it can be traced back to at least 2021 when it was shared as showing the Tel Aviv beach (here).
The video appears to match buildings and constructions on the beach viewable on Google Street View of Aviv Beach (bit.ly/3VZMLB5).
An Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson said in a text message to Reuters that “during the ‘Shield and Arrow’ operation, several alarms were heard in Tel Aviv. Although, the video in question was shot in 2021.”
The video was circulated online as fighting across the Israel-Gaza border intensified this week resulting in the loss of at least 30 lives in Gaza, including women and children, and one in Israel, Reuters reported. The head of Islamic Jihad's rocket force and his deputy were killed.
Operation Shield and Arrow is the term used by the IDF for the campaign, launched on May 9 (here).
VERDICT
Miscaptioned. Video dates back to 2021 and is unrelated to the escalation of violence in May, 2023 between Israel and Palestine.
