TikTok posts
TikTok posts
stated on October 10, 2023 in a TikTok post:

“Thousands of U.S. troops make their way to Israel” in video.

False

Old footage mischaracterized as showing U.S. troops deployed to Israel

If your time is short

  • This footage predates the current conflict between Israel and Hamas. Some of the video clips were taken in Djibouti, which is more than 1,400 miles from Israel, in 2018.
See the sources for this fact-check

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered troops to prepare to deploy to the Middle East to support Israel, though likely not in combat roles, The New York Times recently reported.

But an Oct. 10 TikTok post claiming to show “thousands of US troops deployed to Israel” does not reflect this. 

Tickers above and below the TikTok video say “Breaking news,” and text says “thousands of US troops make their way to Israel.” 

Some of the footage, however, is more than 5 years old, and from Africa — not the Middle East.

TikTok identified this video as part of its efforts to counter inauthentic, misleading or false content. (Read more about PolitiFact’s partnership with TikTok.)

Several clips come from the Defense Department and appear on the Getty Images’ website. They show U.S. soldiers participating in an emergency deployment readiness exercise in Djibouti, which is more than 1,400 miles from Israel, in March 2018.  

Another clip has been online since at least July. Someone in that video can be heard saying, “Welcome to Poland.”

We rate claims this footage shows soldiers deployed to the Middle East False. 

 

Old footage mischaracterized as showing U.S. troops deployed to Israel

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
stated on January 7, 2026 a press briefing

stated on January 14, 2026 a statement

Social Media
stated on February 14, 2026 social media posts



stated on January 20, 2026 an op-ed


Donald Trump
stated on February 3, 2026 remarks in the Oval Office


Social Media
stated on February 8, 2026 social media posts





Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
stated on stated on November 17, 2025 in remarks at George Washington University:

Donald Trump
stated on February 2, 2026 an interview with Dan Bongino