Claim:
Videos circulating on social media allege that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ran to a bunker during a missile attack by Iran.
Fact-Check Overview:
A video clip purporting to show Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seeking refuge in a bunker as Iran launched missiles into Israeli territory has gone viral. The video sparked various comments and narratives, with some suggesting Netanyahu abandoned his citizens while securing his own safety.
The Viral Claim:
Social media posts, particularly from pro-Iranian accounts, shared the footage with captions such as, “Moments in which the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, flees to a bunker in the face of the Iranian response.” Other posts implied Netanyahu was acting out of fear, leaving the public unprotected.
Verification:
Upon investigation, it was discovered that the video clip is not related to the recent missile attack. The footage dates back at least three years, as indicated by Facebook posts and other online shares from 2021. The original video appears to depict Netanyahu moving quickly through the corridors of the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, rather than running to a bunker.
The current missile attack occurred on a Tuesday night, when Iran launched a series of rockets into Israel. Some of these missiles, reportedly hypersonic, triggered sirens across the country and forced residents to seek shelter. Netanyahu responded to the attack by calling it a significant miscalculation by Iran, warning of consequences and reaffirming Israel’s defensive stance: “Iran made a big mistake tonight and will pay for it,” Netanyahu said. “Whoever attacks us, we attack them.”
Historical Context:
This recent missile barrage marks the second direct attack by Iran on Israel within the year. A similar offensive took place in April, which Israeli and allied defenses were able to suppress effectively. According to Iranian sources, Tuesday’s attack was in retaliation for the Israeli military’s recent targeted killings of senior Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.
Conclusion:
The claim that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ran to a bunker during the recent missile attack by Iran is false. The video in question is not current and was initially shared online years ago, showing Netanyahu in a different context.
Rating: False. The video is outdated and unrelated to the recent missile attack on Israel.