#FactCheck -Viral Video of Israeli Strike in Lebanon Misrepresented as Iranian Attack on US Base in Kuwait
Executive Summary
Amid heightened tensions in West Asia following the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran, a video showing a large explosion behind a building is being widely shared on social media.
Users claim that the footage shows an Iranian missile strike on a US military base in Kuwait. However, CyberPeace Research Wing research found the claim to be misleading. The viral video is actually from an Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon. While Kuwait said its air defence systems intercepted missiles and drones during regional hostilities, the viral footage has no connection to any alleged attack on a US base in Kuwait.
Claim
An Instagram user, “indiscope24hr,” shared the video on May 28, 2026, with text overlaid on the clip stating:“Iran launches a deadly missile attack on a US base in Kuwait.”The caption claimed that Iran targeted a US airbase in retaliation for American military action and that Kuwait’s air defence systems were intercepting incoming missiles and drones.
Fact Check
To verify the claim, we extracted key frames from the viral video and conducted a reverse image search using Google Lens. This led us to a post shared on May 28, 2026, by the Instagram account “iltv_israel,” which identified the footage as an Israeli Air Force strike on a Hezbollah target in the southern Lebanese city of Tyre.
Further research found the same footage in a video report uploaded by the New York Post’s YouTube channel on May 28, 2026. According to the report, Israel carried out strikes targeting Hezbollah positions in Tyre, southern Lebanon.
We also found the clip in a video report published by NBC News. The report stated that Israel intensified strikes in southern Lebanon despite an existing ceasefire agreement.
The matching visuals across these reports confirm that the viral footage originated from Lebanon and not from Kuwait.
Conclusion
The viral claim is misleading. The video does not show an Iranian missile strike on a US military base in Kuwait. It actually depicts an Israeli airstrike carried out in the Lebanese city of Tyre on May 28, 2026, and is being shared with a false context on social media.
Related Blogs
Executive Summary:
A viral video has circulated on social media, wrongly showing lawbreakers surrendering to the Indian Army. However, the verification performed shows that the video is of a group surrendering to the Bangladesh Army and is not related to India. The claim that it is related to the Indian Army is false and misleading.
Claims:
A viral video falsely claims that a group of lawbreakers is surrendering to the Indian Army, linking the footage to recent events in India.
Fact Check:
Upon receiving the viral posts, we analysed the keyframes of the video through Google Lens search. The search directed us to credible news sources in Bangladesh, which confirmed that the video was filmed during a surrender event involving criminals in Bangladesh, not India.
We further verified the video by cross-referencing it with official military and news reports from India. None of the sources supported the claim that the video involved the Indian Army. Instead, the video was linked to another similar Bangladesh Media covering the news.
No evidence was found in any credible Indian news media outlets that covered the video. The viral video was clearly taken out of context and misrepresented to mislead viewers.
Conclusion:
The viral video claiming to show lawbreakers surrendering to the Indian Army is footage from Bangladesh. The CyberPeace Research Team confirms that the video is falsely attributed to India, misleading the claim.
- Claim: The video shows miscreants surrendering to the Indian Army.
- Claimed on: Facebook, X, YouTube
- Fact Check: False & Misleading
Introduction
All citizens are using tech to their advantage, and so we see a lot of upskilling among the population leading to innovation in India. As we go deeper into cyberspace, we must maintain our cyber security efficiently and effectively. When bad actors use technology to their advantage, we often see data loss or financial loss of the victim, In this blog, we will shine light upon two new forms of cyber attacks, causing havoc upon the innocent. The “Daam” Malware and a new malicious app are the two new issues.
Daam Botnet
Since 2021, the DAAM Android botnet has been used to acquire unauthorised access to targeted devices. Cybercriminals use it to carry out different destructive actions. Using the DAAM Android botnet’s APK binding service, threat actors can combine malicious code with a legitimate application. Keylogging, ransomware, VOIP call records, runtime code execution, browser history collecting, incoming call recording, PII data theft, phishing URL opening, photo capture, clipboard data theft, WiFi and data status switching, and browser history gathering are just a few of the functions offered by the DAAM Android botnet. The DAAM botnet tracks user activity using the Accessibility Service and stores keystrokes it has recorded together with the name of the programme package in a database. It also contains a ransomware module that encrypts and decrypts data on the infected device using the AES method.
Additionally, the botnet uses the Accessibility service to monitor the VOIP call-making features of social media apps like WhatsApp, Skype, Telegram, and others. When a user engages with these elements, the virus begins audio recording.
The Malware
CERT-IN, the central nodal institution that reacts to computer security-related issues, claims that Daam connects with various Android APK files to access a phone. The files on the phone are encrypted using the AES encryption technique, and it is distributed through third-party websites.
It is claimed that the malware can damage call recordings and contacts, gain access to the camera, change passwords, take screenshots, steal SMS, download/upload files, and perform a variety of other things.
Safeguards and Guidelines by Cert-In
Cert-In has released the guideline for combating malware. These were issued in the public interest. The recommendations by Cert-In are as follows-
Only download from official app stores to limit the risk of potentially harmful apps.
Before downloading an app, always read the details and user reviews; likewise, always give permissions that are related to the program’s purpose.
Install Android updates solely from Android device vendors as they become available.
Avoid visiting untrustworthy websites or clicking on untrustworthy
Install and keep anti-virus and anti-spyware software up to date.
Be cautious if you see mobile numbers that appear to be something other than genuine/regular mobile numbers.
Conduct sufficient investigation Before clicking on a link supplied in a communication.
Only click on URLs that clearly display the website domain; avoid abbreviated URLs, particularly those employing bit.ly and tinyurl.
Use secure browsing technologies and filtering tools in antivirus, firewall, and filtering services.
Before providing sensitive information, look for authentic encryption certificates by looking for the green lock in your browser’s URL information, look for authentic encryption certificates by looking for the green lock in your browser’s URL bar.
Any ‘strange’ activity in a user’s bank account must be reported immediately to the appropriate bank.
New Malicious App
From the remote parts of Jharkhand, a new form of malicious application has been circulated among people on the pretext of a bank account closure. The bad actors have always used messaging platforms like Whatsapp and Telegram to circulate malicious links among unaware and uneducated people to dupe them of their hard-earned money.
They send an ordinary-looking message on Whatsapp or Telegram where they mention that the user has a bank account at ICICI bank and, due to irregularity with the credentials, their account is being deactivated. Further, they ask users to update their PAN card to reactivate their account by uploading the PAN card on an application. This app, in turn, is a malicious app that downloads all the user’s personal credentials and shares them with the bad actors via text message, allowing them to bypass banks’ two-factor authentication and drain the money from their accounts. The Jharkhand Police Cyber Cells have registered numerous FIRs pertaining to this type of cybercrime and are conducting full-scale investigations to apprehend the criminals.
Conclusion
Malware and phishing attacks have gained momentum in the previous years and have become a major contributor to the tally of cybercrimes in the country. DaaM malware is one of the examples brought into light due to the timely action by Cert-In, but still, a lot of such malware are deployed by bad actors, and we as netizens need to use our best practices to keep such criminals at bay. Phishing crimes are often substantiated by exploiting vulnerabilities and social engineering. Thus working towards a rise in awareness is the need of the hour to safeguard the population by and large.
Executive Summary
A video showing a completely melted traffic signal is going viral on social media. Users sharing the clip claim that an unprecedented and historic heatwave in European countries like Italy, Spain, France, and Germany has become so severe that modern infrastructure—including traffic lights—is literally melting under the sun However, factual research by the CyberPeace Research Wing reveals that this claim is false. The traffic signal did not melt due to weather conditions; it was damaged by a nearby car fire in Italy.
The Claim
On June 30, 2026, an Instagram user named 'khabribhaiyaa' shared the video with a caption stating:"Many European countries are currently in the grip of an unprecedented and historic heatwave. Temperatures in countries like Italy and Germany have neared 40 degree forcing authorities to issue red alerts. The situation is so bad that modern infrastructure is buckling under this deadly heat. Images and reports from the streets are shocking; traffic lights are melting and dripping due to the extreme heat. Not only this, but paved roads and highways are warping due to excessive temperatures, bringing traffic to a standstill. Additionally, railway tracks and other critical infrastructure are suffering heavy damage."
https://www.instagram.com/reels/DaMpGhjG7h4
https://perma.cc/STD7-75S9?type=standard
To verify the viral claim, we extracted keyframes from the video and ran a Google Lens search. This led us to a report published on June 28, 2026, by the Italian website 'ilbacodaseta'. The building structure visible in the background of the website's featured photo directly matched the backdrop of the viral video.
https://www.ilbacodaseta.org/lugagnano-auto-in-fiamme-al-semaforo-paura-in-via-26-aprile/#google_vignette
Furthermore, we cross-referenced the spot on Google Maps, confirming that the location perfectly matches the visuals seen in the viral clip.
A report by 'tgverona' regarding the same car accident was also shared on Facebook by wrestling referee Johnny Puttini, further verifying that the damage was the result of an accidental fire, not atmospheric heatwaves.
Conclusion
The claim that European heatwaves are melting traffic lights is False. The viral video shows a traffic signal in Lugagnano, Italy, that melted in June 2026 due to a car fire right beneath it. It has nothing to do with the summer temperature or climate conditions.
