Image of explosions in Israeli sky is from 2020, not 2024 Iran attack | Fact check
The claim: Image shows explosions in the Israeli sky during April 13 Iran attack
[En Español: Imagen de explosiones en el cielo israelí es de 2020, no del ataque de Irán de 2024]
An April 13 Facebook post (direct link, archive link) shows a series of explosions and streaks in a night sky.
“URGENT. IRAN ATTACKS ISRAEL FOR THE FIRST TIME,” the post reads in Spanish. “The Israeli Army identified the launch of more than 100 unmanned vehicles and warned that even more can be expected.”
The post was shared more than 200 times in three days.
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Our rating: False
The photo in the post predates Iran’s air attack on April 13. Reuters first published the image in August 2020.
Photo shows Iron Dome defense in 2020, not Iran attack
The photo in the Facebook post was taken in Ashkelon, Israel, on Aug. 21, 2020, and published by Reuters. The caption says the image shows Israel's Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepting rockets launched from Gaza. The photo does not depict the air attack on Israel by Iran on April 13.
The Iron Dome is an air defense system that protects Israel from incoming short-range weapons. The mobile defense units identify the trajectory of incoming rockets and launch missiles to destroy them.
Fact check: Video of drone stuck in wires predates Iran's April 2024 attack on Israel
The Facebook post also contained two other pictures of nighttime explosions, but USA TODAY was not able to identify their origin.
In the historic Iran strike, the U.S. helped intercept some of the more than 300 drones, ballistic and cruise missiles. The attack on Israel caused minimal damage. Meanwhile, Israel's foreign minister is leading a diplomatic campaign against Iran during international efforts to prevent a major conflict in the Middle East.
USA TODAY reached out to the user who shared the post for comment but did not immediately receive a response.
Our fact-check sources:
Reuters, Aug. 21, 2020, Gaza-Israel violence prompts stepped-up mediation efforts
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Photo from 2020, not 2024 during Iran's attack on Israel | Fact check
