CLAIM:

Viral video of Israeli military headquarters engulfed in flames after Hezbollah strike

RATING JUSTIFICATION:

The iVerify Pakistan team investigated this content and determined that it is false.

To reach this conclusion, iVerify Pakistan conducted a keyword and reverse image search to trace the original video.

Multiple users on X were sharing a video since April 29, 2026, claiming it shows an Israeli military headquarters engulfed in fire after an alleged Hezbollah strike. However, the footage is old and shows a fire incident in New York City in April 2026.

Israel has caused immense devastation in Lebanon after initiating hostilities in early March. The death toll has exceeded 2,200, with Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil among the latest victims. The aim of Israel-Lebanon parleys seems to be the disarmament of Hezbollah.

Despite a declared ceasefire, Israel’s military has said it will continue to “operate to remove threats” in southern Lebanon to Israeli soldiers and civilians in the north.

On the other hand, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has said Israel “must first fully implement the ceasefire in order to move on to negotiations. Israeli attacks cannot continue as they are”.

HOW IT STARTED

On April 29, an X user, who appears to be an Iranian supporter from past posts, shared a video with the following caption: “Breaking: Hezbollah reportedly hit an Israeli military HQ. Heavy casualties were claimed, with soldiers said to be trapped. Israel is reportedly restricting images.”

The post received over 1,707 views.

The same video, with a similar claim and identical caption, was shared by another user, who also appears to be an Iran supporter and has a history of sharing disinformation online based on his past posts. His post gathered up to 214,000 views.

Other X users also shared the video and claim, as can be seen here, here, here and here; collectively accumulating more than 21,000 views.

METHODOLOGY

A fact-check was initiated to determine the veracity of the claim due to virality and keen public interest in the Middle East conflict.

A reverse image search, conducted using keyframes from the viral video, yielded an Instagram post dated April 12, 2026, wherein the same clip was shared. The caption reads: “Happening Now, Major 3 Alarm fire on 22nd Street and 7th Avenue at 216 7th Avenue.”

The account, namely FDNY Response Videos, is a popular social media handle that documents the New York City Fire Department (FDNY), Police (NYPD) and EMS responding to emergencies.

Separately, a keyword search yielded a video report by American news outlet CBS New York, dated April 12, 2026. “The multi-alarm fire ripped through a long-vacant building on Seventh Avenue,” its description reads.

The search also led to an X post dated April 12, 2026, from the official account of the New York City Fire Department, which included visuals similar to those in the viral clip. It confirmed that the FDNY responded to a fire in a vacant building at 208 7th Avenue in Manhattan, New York, where a blaze erupted on multiple floors.

Moreover, a keyword search for the truck seen in the viral video led to an Instagram post showing the same vehicle. A visual comparison confirms it matches a New York City Fire Department truck.

Key markers — “FDNY” lettering, the number “12”, and the “Dirty Dozen” label — are clearly visible, confirming the footage is from New York, not Israel.

FACT-CHECK STATUS: FALSE

The claim that a viral video shows an Israeli military headquarters engulfed in flames after a Hezbollah strike is false.

The video is old and shows a fire incident in New York City on April 12, 2026.

EVIDENCE AND REFERENCES

April 12, 2026, FDNY Response Videos Instagram post:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DXB0ePqjgGD/

April 12, 2026, CBS New York YouTube video:
https://youtu.be/sf3yxnsmVYU?t=66

April 12, 2026, Amny’s news report
https://www.amny.com/news/manhattan-blaze-leaves-four-firefighters-injured/