Tin cans booby-trapped by the Israeli army in Gaza: a falsehood relayed on social networks
In a video relayed on social networks, an Internet user from the Gaza Strip accuses the Israeli army of having booby-trapped cans, allegedly containing explosives, with the aim of endangering the population. This video, which went viral, sparked strong reactions and indignation.
However, in-depth analysis reveals that this accusation is unfounded and contributes to disinformation surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The cans in question are not explosive traps, but containers specifically designed to store and protect mine igniters.
An explosives expert, interviewed by France 24 Observers, confirmed that these metal boxes contain mechanical pressure igniters intended for anti-tank and anti-vehicle mines of American origin. The inscriptions on the boxes, clearly identified as “mine lighters”, leave little room for misinterpretation.
In addition, opening these boxes does not cause any explosion. They simply serve to protect the igniter during storage and handling. The intention to harm civilian populations, put forward in the video, is therefore unfounded.
This misinformation is particularly worrying because it fuels tensions and mistrust between the different parties involved in the conflict. It is crucial to carefully verify information before sharing it on social media, so as not to contribute to the spread of false information and false accusations.
In a context as sensitive as that of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, prudence and rigor in the dissemination of information are essential to avoid manipulation and promote objective understanding of events.