Jerusalem, 2 September, 2026 (TPS-IL) — The IDF (Israel Defense Forces) issued a statement rejecting a false accusation circulating on social media alleging that its soldiers deliberately set fire to Palestinian land and celebrated in front of the flames.
“This is false and entirely baseless, but apparently facts don’t matter when there’s a false narrative to spread,” the IDF said. “This video does not show IDF soldiers setting Palestinian land on fire.”
The military said the fire broke out in the Jordan Valley, inside Israeli territory near an IDF base, and that soldiers did not start it but were present to monitor the situation and prevent it from spreading to the base.
The claim followed a video posted on X by American political commentator and Israel detractor Candace Owens, purporting to show Israeli soldiers laughing at a fire in a Palestinian area. The video was actually taken from a satirical account called “Parody Jeff.”