An image shared on social media purportedly shows Israel bombarding Gaza with white phosphorus.
Israeli army continues bombarding Gaza wit the prohibited white phosphorus#Gaza_Genocide pic.twitter.com/Dd9nZKEPEb
— Mustafa Barghouti @Mustafa_Barghouti (@MustafaBarghou1) November 4, 2023
Verdict: False
The caption is inaccurate. The image predates the current conflict in Gaza.
Fact Check:
The Israeli Government has rejected calls for a ceasefire in the Hamas-Israeli conflict before the hostages are returned, Reuters reported. The Israeli Defense Force signaled that their operations in Gaza will intensify.
The Twitter post purports to show white phosphorus being dispersed over Gaza. The photo allegedly shows multiple streaks of light in the sky.
The caption reads, “Israeli army continues bombarding Gaza wit the prohibited white phosphorus.”
The caption is inaccurate. The image dates back to March 2018 Getty Images shared the photo that appears to show white phosphorus incendiaries landing in Eastern Ghouta on the outskirts of Damascus. This is of the Russian-backed Syrian government as they attacked rebels in Eastern Ghouta, Human Rights Watch reported.
During that conflict, Russia was accused of using white phosphorus in Syria. The Independent reported on the incident near Aleppo in which it appeared they used the weapon on rebel forces.
The humanitarian organization Human Rights Watch did accuse the Israeli Defense Force of using white phosphorus during this current conflict in Gaza. The Guardian reports that the IDF has denied these allegations, saying they are “unequivocally false.” Palestinian media did share photos of white plumes of smoke that they claim are the chemical. (RELATED: X Post Makes False Claim About UN, Trucks Entering Gaza Strip)
This is not the first piece of misinformation surrounding the Israeli-Hamas conflict that has been shared online. Check Your Fact debunked a claim to show a video of Israeli troops fighting with Hamas.
Note: Check Your Fact is working to debunk false and misleading claims from the recent event. Please send tips to [email protected].