Viral image
Viral image
stated on October 10, 2023 in an Instagram post:

Video shows U.S. Navy pilots arriving in Palestine.

False

Pentagon: Video doesn’t show U.S. pilots arriving in Palestine

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  • This video doesn’t show U.S. Navy pilots arriving in Palestine, according to the Pentagon.
See the sources for this fact-check

A recent Instagram post worries about the possibility of “World War Three” as the Israel-Hamas war causes death and suffering in the Middle East. 

“U.S. Navy pilots arrive in Palestine,” reads the text above a video in the post, which shows about a dozen aircraft flying in tight formation. 

This post was flagged as part of Meta’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram.)

After Hamas militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7, the United States started moving warships and aircraft to the region to help the country. The Pentagon has also ordered warplanes to bolster squadrons at bases throughout the Middle East, The Associated Press reported. But this video doesn’t show U.S. Navy pilots arriving in Palestine, according to the Pentagon. 

“This is false,” a spokesperson for the U.S. defense secretary’s office told PolitiFact. 

We looked for, but couldn’t find, where this video originated. However, an archived version of a  deleted TikTok post appears to show a still of the video and suggests it was fabricated. 

“BREAKING,” the TikTok post said. “A large Israeli offensive is underway in retaliation for Hamas attacks.” 

The post used hashtags including #virtualreality #shorts #edit #cinematic and said “Filmed with Digital Combat Simulator.”

We rate this post False.

 
Our Sources

Instagram post, Oct. 10, 2023

The Associated Press, The US is moving quickly to boost Israel’s military. A look at what assistance it’s providing, Oct. 12, 2023

TikTok post, archived Oct. 10, 2023

Statement from the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Oct. 13, 2023

Pentagon: Video doesn’t show U.S. pilots arriving in Palestine

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