False
Fact-Checked
- 19.03.2026
Viral video does not show Tel Aviv on fire after Iranian air strike; it’s from the Philippines
CLAIM
Viral video of Tel Aviv on fire after Iranian air strike
RATING JUSTIFICATION
The iVerify Pakistan team investigated this content and determined that it is false.
To reach this conclusion, iVerify Pakistan conducted a reverse image search and a keyword search to trace the original video.
Multiple accounts and people were sharing a video since March 17, 2026, across social media platforms, claiming that it shows Tel Aviv on fire after an Iranian air strike amid the conflict between the two countries. However, the clip shows a fire in Quezon City, Philippines from March 2026.
The conflict began on February 28, 2026, when the United States and Israel carried out coordinated airstrikes targeting Iran’s military infrastructure, including missile systems and nuclear-related facilities. The strikes marked a significant escalation in tensions between the countries, following a period of heightened regional instability and previous confrontations.
Iran responded by launching missile and drone attacks targeting Israel, US military bases, and other locations in the region. Several senior Iranian officials have been killed in targeted strikes, including national security chief Ali Larijani and Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani on March 17, 2026.
HOW IT STARTED
On March 17, a user shared a video on Facebook showing a building on fire with the post simply labelled: “Tel Aviv”.
The post gained 138,000 views.
A pro-Iranian account shared the same video with the following caption: “The world has seen Israel’s downfall for the first time. Iran, may you always flourish. The prayers of your 52 sisters are with you. Amen.”
The post gained 125,300 views.
Another pro-Iranian account posted the same clip with a similar claim, gaining 98,000 views.
The same video was also shared on Facebook and Instagram.
The video was subsequently shared widely by other X users too, as seen here, here, here, here, here and here; collectively gaining 257,400 views.
METHODOLOGY
A fact-check was initiated to determine the veracity of the claim due to its virality and keen public interest in the US-Israel war with Iran.
A reverse image search yielded a YouTube video of Filipino news outlet GMA News, dated March 7, 2026, with the title: “QC fire leaves thousands homeless | 24 Oras Weekend.”
As per the news outlet, up to 4,000 families reportedly lost their homes after a fire swept through a residential area in Barangay Pinyahan, Quezon City, on March 6, 2026.
The 1:09-minute mark of the news outlet video shows the same building seen in the viral clip with a slightly different angle.
Another Filipino news outlet, ABS-CBN News, shared a clip from the same incident, featuring the same building at the 1:40-minute mark, on Facebook dated March 6, 2026.
The caption of the post read: “Thick smoke plumes from a burning residential area adjacent to NIA Road in Bgy. Pinyahan, QC as responders race to quell the flames more than three hours since the fire started. BFP has raised the response alarm to Task Force Bravo”.
The video shows a huge fire destroying houses while firefighters try to control the blaze.
A March 7, 2026, news report by GMA News said that up to 4,000 families reportedly lost their homes, and one person died of a heart attack after the fire swept through a residential area.
As per the report, “the fire quickly spread along NIA Road, engulfing houses mostly made of light materials. Strong winds worsened the blaze, according to authorities. Several homes collapsed, and LPG tanks inside the houses reportedly exploded.”
FACT-CHECK STATUS: FALSE
The claim that a viral video shows Tel Aviv on fire after an Iranian air strike is false.
The clip shows a fire in Quezon City, Philippines, on March 6, 2026.
EVIDENCE AND REFERENCES:
March 7, 2026, GMA News YouTube video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2lzEbTRU08
March 6, 2026, ABS-CBN News Facebook post:
https://www.facebook.com/reel/2262043104204226
March 7, 2026, GMA News report:
MULTIPLE CLAIMS
At the same time, iVerify Pakistan observed multiple other claims regarding the conflict between the US, Israel and Iran. Here are more claims that were debunked by the platform.
Viral video of Iranian missile strike in Tel Aviv — FALSE
On March 11, an account on X shared a video with the following caption: “Breaking. Just now Iran has struck Israel’s Tel Aviv airport with a hypersonic missile whose target is spot on. You can see it in this footage.”
The post gained 100,900 views.
A pro-Iranian account on X also shared the same video on the same day with a similar caption, gaining 2.2 million views.
The same video was also widely shared by multiple users across several social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and X, as can be seen here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.
Inspecting the video showed inconsistencies. In the viral video, the ceiling of the mall appears to be made of glass before collapsing; however, when it caves in, the material appears to resemble sheet metal.
The video was also analysed using AI detection tools with Sightengine flagging it as 83pc AI-generated.
Similarly, Hive Moderation flagged it as 69.8pc AI-generated.
Therefore, the claim that a viral video shows an Iranian missile strike on the airport in Tel Aviv is false. The video is AI-generated.
Viral video of Indian citizen getting arrested in Tehran — FALSE
On March 10, a user shared a video on X, allegedly showing an Indian citizen getting arrested in Tehran on suspicion of espionage.
The caption read: “Breaking. An Indian citizen has been arrested in Tehran on suspicion of espionage. According to reports, he is accused of providing sensitive information to the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad.”
The post gained 81,000 views.
A pro-Iranian account shared the same clip with the following caption: “Breaking. An Indian citizen has been arrested in Tehran on suspicion of espionage. According to reports, he was providing sensitive information to the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad.”
The post accumulated 261,000 views.
The same claim was also shared on Instagram and Facebook, as can be seen here, here and here.
The same video with similar captions was also shared by several other accounts on X, as can be seen here, here, here, here, here, here and here, further amplifying the claim.
Inspecting the video showed several inconsistencies suggesting it was digitally manipulated.
At the 7-second mark, the man’s left arm appears visually deformed, with no clear finger structure, indicating he is likely AI-generated.
Meanwhile, at the 11-second mark, the end of the car gate appears to vanish, and the man opens the door and enters the car in a backward and unusual way, suggesting manipulation
The audio of the clip was analysed using forensic tool Fake-O-Meter, which suggested a deepfake probability of 34.9pc.
In addition, AI detection tool Hive Moderation flagged the video as 99.8pc AI-generated, indicating a high likelihood that the footage had been digitally manipulated.
Similarly, Hive Detect flagged the video as 99.8pc AI generated.
A keyword search was conducted to corroborate whether any credible Indian, Iranian or international media outlets had reported such an incident, but yielded no results.
Therefore, the claim that a viral video shows an Indian citizen getting arrested in Tehran for spying for Mossad is false. The video is AI-generated.
Viral video of US Navy ship attacked by Iranian missile — FALSE
On March 15, a pro-Iranian account shared a video on X allegedly showing a US Navy ship being attacked by an Iranian missile.
The caption of the post read: “Just now, a major attack has been reported on the US Navy. The footage clearly shows that Iran’s missile power is increasing day by day.”
The post gained 1.3m views.
Another social media user posted the same clip with the following caption: “Breaking, Just now, a massive attack on the US Navy — footage clearly shows that Iran’s military power is growing day by day.”
The post accumulated 155,340 views.
The same clip was shared on Facebook and Instagram with a similar claim; collectively gaining 22,700 views.
The same video with a similar claim was posted by other users on X, as can be seen here, here, here, here and here.
Inspecting the footage shows that the shape of the flames barely changes between frames and does not appear to be billowing from the opening.
At the 6-second mark, the edges of the fire after the second blast blend unnaturally with the ship’s structure.
Analysing the clip using AI detection tools showed that Hive Moderation flagged it as 99.9pc AI-generated.
Similarly, Hive Detect flagged it as 88pc AI-generated.
Therefore, the claim that a viral video shows an attack on a US Navy ship by an Iranian missile amid the ongoing conflict between the two countries is false. The video is AI-generated.
Viral video of Israelis fleeing Eilat beach after hearing Iranian rockets — FALSE
On March 16, a pro-PTI account shared a video on X with the following caption: “Just hearing the name of the Khyber missile, these Jews shit their pants and start running, saying they had taken revenge for Khyber, but that same Khyber is being repeated again.”
The post gained 38,900 views.
A pro-Iranian account also shared the same video on X on the same day with the following caption: “Humiliation and misery struck them — a mass escape from the coral beach of Eilat after hearing the sounds of the Iranian Khorramshahr and Jabar rockets—Witness,” gaining 10,700 views.
The same video was also shared by several other users on X and Facebook with similar claims, as can be seen here, here and here, suggesting that people were fleeing from the coral beach of Eilat in Israel after hearing Iranian Khorramshahr and Jabar rockets.
A reverse image search conducted to investigate the viral clip yielded a Facebook video posted by a user on March 16, 2026, with the following caption: “Spring break chaos at Daytona Beach, Florida.”
The visuals in this video match those circulating in the viral clip.
The same video was also shared by the New York Post, a New York-based tabloid newspaper, on X on the same day, indicating that the viral video was related to an incident in Daytona Beach, Florida, and not to people fleeing from the coral beach of Eilat in Israel.
A keyword search also yielded reports from international media outlets. Daily Mail reported on the incident on March 16, 2026, under the headline: “Spring Break chaos as five shootings unfold at popular beachside Florida city in just three days.”
According to the report, multiple shootings occurred in the city of Daytona Beach over the weekend, causing panic among large crowds gathered for spring break celebrations.
The video from the scene showed thousands of people running along Daytona Beach while law enforcement agencies worked to disperse crowds and secure the area. Authorities confirmed that none of the shootings took place directly on the beach, although incidents occurred in nearby areas.
The incident was also reported by WFTV Channel 9, an American local news outlet, which shared a video on YouTube showing large crowds running on the beach while police responded to the chaotic situation.
Therefore, the claim that a viral video shows people fleeing from Eilat in Israel after hearing Iranian rockets is false. The video actually shows crowds running during a chaotic incident linked to shootings in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Viral video of destruction in Tel Aviv after Iran’s attack — FALSE
On March 17, a pro-Israeli user shared a video on X, allegedly showing destruction in Tel Aviv.
The caption of the post read: “Have you ever imagined that you’d see these scenes in Tel Aviv?”
The post garnered 120,900 views.
A pro-Iranian user also shared the same clip with the following caption: “Watch till the end — did it ever cross your mind that you’d see these scenes in Tel Aviv?”
Another social media user shared the same video with the following caption: “Have you ever imagined that you’d see such scenes in Tel Aviv? The IRGC is pounding one section at a time, and then will move on to the main area — downtown!”
Other X users also shared the same claim, as can be seen here, here, here, here and here
A reverse image search conducted to investigate the viral clip yielded a YouTube short of Middle East Eye, dated March 22, 2025, with the following headline: “Israeli shelling destroys entire residential block in northern Gaza’s Jabalia camp”.
The video shows heavy Israeli shelling on the Jabalia camp in northern Gaza.
According to Al Jazeera, around 404 Palestinians were killed, and 562 were wounded after Israel launched renewed attacks on Gaza from March 18, 2025.
Therefore, the claim that a viral video shows destruction in Tel Aviv amid the Israel, Iran, and US war is false. The video is from March 2025, showing destruction in Gaza.
Viral video of mass funeral in Israel as a result of Iranian strikes — FALSE
On March 17, an account on X shared a video with the following caption: “Muslims got Eid gift.”
The video showed what looked to be mourners standing beside coffins draped with the Israeli flag.
The post gained 82,000 views.
Another user on X shared the same video on March 18 with the following caption: “Breaking, You guys who were saying I was lying, zoom in and see today how many Israeli hideouts have been hit, how many are left now, watch till the end how many corpses are lying there, from this footage it’s crystal clear that they were deliberately removing corpses from social media.”
The post gained 66,200 views.
The same video was also shared by several other users across X, YouTube and Instagram, as can be seen here, here, here, here, here, here and here, with similar claims suggesting that mass death had occurred in Israel as a result of Iranian strikes.
Inspecting the video showed clear inconsistencies. At around the 3-second mark, a man dressed in white appears in the frame; however, by the 10-second mark, he disappears abruptly without any natural movement or transition, indicating possible digital manipulation.
The video was further analysed using AI detection tools and Hive Moderation flagged it as 77.1pc AI-generated.
Meanwhile, Sightengine assessed it as 88pc AI-generated, suggesting a high likelihood that the footage was artificially created.
Additionally, no credible reports from Israeli or international media outlets corroborate the visuals being circulated, further indicating that the video did not depict real events.
Therefore, the claim that a viral video shows mass casualties in Israel resulting from Iranian strikes is false. The video is AI-generated.
Viral video of Iran’s bombing in Israel — FALSE
On March 18, a digital media account on X shared a video showing fire erupting in the aftermath of an airstrike with the caption: “Iran is bombing Israel without restraint, and the so-called Iron Dome is not responding.”
The post gathered 779,000 views.
The same clip was also shared by another X user with a caption in Spanish that translated to: “Iran bombs Israel without scruples, and the so-called Iron Dome does not respond.”
His post racked up 269,600 views.
Subsequently, the video was widely shared by several pro-Iranian accounts, as seen here, here, here, here, here and here.
The video and claim were also shared on other social media platforms such as Facebook, as seen here, here, here and here; and Instagram, as seen here, here and here.
Inspecting the footage revealed several visual inconsistencies: first, although the blasts appear dramatic, the surrounding environment—nearby buildings and roads—does not show the shockwave’s impact. Moreover, the smoke plumes morph and reshape mid-air instead of dispersing naturally, which is a common indicator of fabricated videos.
Analysing the viral clip using AI detection tools showed that Undetectable AI said it was likely created using AI and gave the video a confidence score of 52pc.
Similarly, Truth Scan flagged the clip with an AI probability of 52pc.
Moreover, one of the posts that featured the video was labelled ‘Made with AI’ by X.
A keyword search was conducted to corroborate whether any credible mainstream international, Iranian or US news outlets had shared or reported on the video, but yielded no results.
Therefore, the claim that a viral video shows Iranian bombing in Israel and the failure of the Israeli Iron Dome is false. The clip is AI-generated.
Viral video of Burj Khalifa destroyed — FALSE
On March 17, Yemeni journalist Anis Mansour shared a 14-second video allegedly showing the Burj Khalifa toppling over and being destroyed.
The caption of the post said: “The most trending video on TikTok platform. What do you think?”
The post gained more than 11m views.
The clip was also shared earlier in March on X, Facebook, YouTube and TikTok, collectively gaining more than 97,000 views.
Inspecting the video showed multiple inconsistencies. The surrounding skyline is inaccurate, and nearby buildings remain unaffected despite the collapse.
The tower also falls in a uniform and intact manner without structural fragmentation.
Analysing the video through AI detection tools showed that Hive Moderation flagged it as 99.9pc AI-generated,
TruthScan and Undetectable AI both returned scores of 61pc AI-generated.
A reverse image search showed that the video predates the ongoing US–Israel–Iran conflict, with a post found on Instagram dated January 24, 2026.
Therefore, the claim that a viral video shows the Burj Khalifa being destroyed amid the conflict in the Middle East is false. The video is AI-generated.
Viral video of strike on Saudi Arabian oil field by Iran — MISLEADING
On March 18, an account shared a video on X with the following caption: “This war is the oil war. America is targeting Iran’s oil from the lands of Arab countries, and Iran retaliates by striking Gulf oil. We implore the authorities in the Gulf countries not to allow the burning of the peoples’ wealth due to the policies of the criminal Trump. By God, the damage that America is causing to our countries cannot be compared to the benefits of its presence. Expel the American forces from our lands, to preserve our economies and infrastructure.”
The post gained 1.7m views.
Another user shared the same video on March 19 on X with the caption: “Oil fields in Saudi Arabia. Stop this madness!”
The post gained 330,800 views.
The same video was also shared by several other users on X, as can be seen here, here, here and here, with similar claims suggesting that Iran had targeted an oil field in Saudi Arabia.
A reverse image search conducted to investigate the viral clip yielded a video on YouTube posted by Iraqi media outlet Alrasheed Media on March 12, 2026, with the following caption: “Flames engulf fuel tanks in Salalah port, Oman.”
The visuals in this video match those seen in the viral clip.
A keyword search yielded multiple reports from digital and international media outlets on the attack on Oman’s Salalah port.
Turkish digital outlet Haberler reported on March 12, 2026, that a massive fire broke out at the Port of Salalah in Oman following drone strikes that targeted oil storage tanks. The report used the same visuals from the video.
The incident was also covered by Reuters, Bloomberg and The Times.
Therefore, the claim that a viral video shows an attack on Saudi Arabia’s oil field by Iran is misleading. The video actually shows a fire from Iranian drone strikes at Oman’s Salalah port.