This video does not show the use of chemical weapons in Gaza – Fact Crescendo | The leading fact-checking website in India

This viral video is from Vuhledar, Ukraine, after an attack by Russian forces in March 2023.

Amid ongoing airstrikes that continue to bombard the Gaza Strip, reports have emerged alleging that Israel used poisonous white phosphorus bombs. White phosphorus is a chemical substance dispersed in bombs and other weapons. It ignites as soon as it comes into contact with air and can burn through human flesh.

On this backdrop, a video widely circulated on social media shows brightly burning incendiary material falling from the sky in night. Users who shared the video claimed that it shows the use of chemical weapons by Israeli forces in Gaza.

The caption of the video states, “Israeli forces use chemical weapons in #Gaza Where is human rights organization”. Let’s check the truth

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Fact Check- 

We started our investigation by running a reverse image search on one of the key frames from the video. The results led us to a report by The sun published on 12 March, 2023, which included the same viral video.  The title states “RAINING HELL -Horror moment flesh-melting thermite rain bombs blitz Ukraine town as Russia loses 1,000 men in deadliest day of the war”. According to the report, “Footage however showed the horrifying showers of so-called “thermite rain” falling over the town on Vuhledar. Vuhledar is a key mining town on a hill that is around 60 miles north of Bakhmut.

Another report states that Russia is being accused of using a cruel weapon in the war in Ukraine. Thermite bombs were dropped on Vuhledar, in the Donetsk region. Termite is a mixture of metals such as aluminum and iron oxide that can be used as an incendiary weapon. This type of explosive is capable of causing large fires and destroying military equipment, as well as melting human flesh and burning even the bones due to the high temperature it can reach.

In further search we came across a YouTube video published by the Telegraph with the same details. The caption states, “Russian shells rain down on Vuhledar as fight for Donbas rages on”. The description mentions that “Russian forces appeared to target the eastern town of Vuhledar with incendiary thermite munitions. Videos taken of the alleged attack show brightly burning metals raining from the sky on the coal-mining town, while a Ukrainian can be heard talking in the background. Vuhledar has been one of the main focuses of Moscow’s ill-fated offensive to capture the remains of the Donbas. 

Conclusion- 

Fact Crescendo found the claim made along with the video to be False. This viral video is from Vuhledar, Ukraine, after an attack by Russian forces in March 2023. It does not show the use of chemical weapons in Gaza. 

Title:This video does not show the use of chemical weapons in Gaza

Written By: Usha Manoj 

Result: False