A video clip from a Palestinian short film titled 'Empty Place' is circulating on social media with a false claim that it depicts Palestinians staging a scene using child actors to depict Israeli soldiers killing children. However, the video is from a fictional short film, and the claim is inaccurate.
On October 7, 2023, Hamas initiated a significant assault on Israeli forces as part of their 'Al-Aqsa Storm' operation. The militant group breached a fortified border fence, capturing both Israeli soldiers and civilians. This action was justified by Hamas as a response to the desecration of the Al-Aqsa mosque and the threat posed by Israeli settlers in the region. The conflict resulted in numerous casualties on both sides.
Israel responded with retaliatory airstrikes on Gaza, causing further casualties. Israel also called for a "complete siege" of Gaza, affecting essential supplies to the region.
Claim
The viral video in question shows a film crew working on a scene in which a boy is lying on the ground with an injury, simulating an incident. The false claim on social media suggested that this scene is being staged as propaganda, which is untrue.
Wrong screenshot shared on social media of Palestinian short film 'Empty Place'.
The same video has been shared by various users with differing claims, including one suggesting that it shows Israelis staging a video about Hamas killing children.
India TV did a Fact Check
In reality, the video is a part of a Palestinian short film called 'Empty Place,' based on the story of imprisoned Palestinian Ahmed Manasra. In 2015, Ahmed Manasra and his cousin were arrested for a stabbing incident. His cousin was killed, and Ahmed was arrested. Civil rights groups have appealed for his release, and court records suggest that he did not stab anyone. The short film, which includes the scene seen in the viral video, was uploaded to YouTube in 2022.
In summary, the video shared on social media is from a fictional short film and does not depict real events as claimed in the posts.
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