Stand up for the facts!
Our only agenda is to publish the truth so you can be an informed participant in democracy.
We need your help.
I would like to contribute
Viral clip shows video game footage, not violence in Israel
A Facebook post sharing a video that’s drawing thousands of views purports to show footage of recent violence between Hamas and Israel.
"Israel and Palestine," the Oct. 8 Facebook post caption says. "War with the help of helicopter."
The clip shows helicopters being shot down from the sky. Some Facebook users were immediately suspicious.
"Nice video game," one person commented.
"Not a video game," the account that posted the video replied.
Sign up for PolitiFact texts
But look closely at the bottom of the video and see three words that give it away: "Belal the Gamer."
Featured Fact-check
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.)
The video already doesn’t look like realistic footage of a war. But it appears this particular clip was poached from another user’s account. Belal the Gamer posts clips from the video game Arma 3, a military simulation.
We rate claims that this is authentic footage of recent violence between Israel and Hamas False.
Browse the Truth-O-Meter
More by Ciara O'Rourke
Viral clip shows video game footage, not violence in Israel
Support independent fact-checking.
Become a member!
In a world of wild talk and fake news, help us stand up for the facts.