Video of 'German strike on Israel' is AI-generated
The clip appears to show an explosion in a built-up area, along with a caption that largely repeats the false claim.
Image
Screenshot of false post with red X added by AFP, taken on July 16, 2025
Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz has urged the foes to respect the truce (archived link).
The clip also spread on YouTube, Threads, and SnackVideo, along with the false claim.
Some users appear to believe the footage is genuine, linking it to the recen
"The Jews were Germany's enemies during Adolf Hitler's time," said one user.
Another wrote, "Impressive".
But the video is AI-generated.
A reverse image search on Google led to a YouTube video uploaded on June 23, 2025, titled "Shocking giant blas (sic) in Middle East, still confirming" (archived link).
The clip is labelled "Altered or synthetic content", and that its "sound or visuals were significantly edited or digitally generated".
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Screenshot comparison of the false post (left) and YouTube video labelled as made with AI
There is also a watermark that reads "Kling AI" in the bottom right corner of the clip -- a tool used to generate images into videos (archived link).
Visual inconsistencies can also be seen in the clip -- including that explosion not having any impact on the surrounding area -- which strongly indicates a video made using AI.
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Screenshot of the YouTube video with visual inconsistencies highlighted in red by AFP
AFP also debunked numerous misinformation related to the Iran-Israel war (archived link).
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