In the midst of the Israel-Palestine conflict, social media platforms have become inundated with a deluge of fabricated posts, forged videos, and manipulated images. To compound this issue, a recent video has surfaced on platform X, purporting that an Israeli Defence Force (IDF) soldier is contaminating bullets with pig fat before using them against Hamas militants.
Given that it is widely understood that pigs are considered forbidden in Islam, the alleged video is expected to deeply offend the religious sensitivities of Muslims worldwide.
Sprinter tweeted, “An IDF soldier lubricates bullets with pork fat…”
Human Dilemma wrote on X , “ Footage apparently shows Israel soldier sending a message to Hamas and Hezbollah forces, rubbing bullets with pigs fat. “
X Handle name Hot News wrote, “ IDF soldier coating all his bullets in pig fat.”
Kim Jong Wins posted a similar post, “IDF anonymous Israeli Occupation soldier smears bullets with lard (pig fat).”
Saja7 wrote, “What’s the purpose behind this action? A soldier from the Israeli army posted a video of himself rubbing pig fat on his weapon’s bullets.”
In addition to these, the same video has been widely disseminated by numerous other X users. You can access archived versions of some of these claims through the following links: ( link 1, link 2, and link 3).
Those who closely follow warfare and conflicts can readily confirm that the IDF employs exceptionally humane methods of warfare. Their precision-guided drones, such as Spark and Heron, exclusively target designated objectives, thereby minimizing the potential for collateral harm. This underscores the IDF’s clear comprehension of the rules of engagement; they are distinctly different from groups like Hamas in their approach. Consequently, it seems implausible that the IDF would allow this conflict to devolve into a religious war.
Also Read: Viral video showing Hamas terrorists shooting down four Israeli helicopters is fake and animated
Fact Check
We will subject this assertion to fact-checking through five key criteria.
1- Not IDF uniform.
The soldier in the video, where pig fat is purportedly used, is attired in a uniform that noticeably differs from the authentic IDF attire.
Below is the uniform of a soldier in a viral video and a picture of the IDF uniform respectively.
2- Pigs are forbidden in Zionism too.
According to the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, “The Torah does not heap any particular abuse on the pig, and yet it is almost universally known that the aversion to eating pork is one of the defining marks of Jewish identity, often preserved when all others have long been eroded.”
Moreover, the website of the National Institute of Health says that “Israel has legislated two related laws: the Pork Law in 1962, that bans the rearing and slaughter of pigs across the country, and the Meat Law of 1994, prohibiting all imports of nonkosher meats into Israel.”
This unequivocally indicates that an Israeli soldier, who is undeniably of Jewish faith, would not engage in handling pig meat as depicted in the video. Moreover, it’s essential to recognize that Israel enforces a comprehensive prohibition on pork consumption. Consequently, the assertion that Jewish soldiers would manipulate bullets with pig meat lacks a factual basis.
3- Still, there is no ground invasion by IDF in Gaza.
As of the present moment, the Israeli Defense Force has refrained from conducting a ground invasion into the relatively compact 42-kilometre by 12-kilometre Gaza territory. Instead, the IDF has been employing drone and missile attacks to target Hamas militants. However, there have been reports suggesting that the IDF may be preparing for an imminent ground invasion. Conversely, the soldier depicted in the video is seen loading bullets into his firearm, suggesting an imminent engagement in battle.
4- Ukraine- Azov soldiers used to grease bullets with pig fat.
During the Russia-Ukraine War, a video surfaced in which Ukrainian Azov soldiers were observed applying pig fat to bullets in anticipation of a confrontation with Russian Chechen soldiers. As Chechens adhere to the Islamic faith, the act of greasing bullets with pig fat was purportedly intended to psychologically impact Chechen soldiers.
Therefore the supposed video is more likely to be from Ukraine rather than Israel.
5- The Climate in the background of the video.
Frequently, the context surrounding an event provides crucial details to complete the narrative, and the viral video is no exception. It’s widely acknowledged that Israel experiences a Mediterranean climate characterized by harsh summers, mild winters, and relatively low rainfall. However, the video exhibits a contrasting backdrop featuring clouds resembling a continental climate more akin to the conditions found in Ukraine.
By highlighting five pivotal pieces of evidence, it becomes evident that the viral video purporting that an IDF soldier is applying pig fat to a bullet is indeed fabricated. The notion of a Jewish soldier using lard offers no plausible rationale. Additionally, when considering the history of Ukraine’s Azov soldiers and the climate depicted in the video background, it appears more plausible that the viral video originates from Ukraine rather than Israel.
| Claim | An IDF soldier is applying pig fat on bullets before fighting with Hamas |
| Claimed by | Islamists X handles and others |
| Fact Check | Fake |
Also Read: Seven year old images of Russia-Syria conflict shared as Israel attack on Palestine
