Fact Check: Video from Azerbaijan passed off as Israeli generals captured by Hamas

A video showing handcuffed men detained by people in military attire is viral on social media. Users claim that the video is of Israeli generals captured by Hamas fighters.

An X premium user shared the video with the caption, “LATEST: Several high-profile Israel Generals captured by Hamas fighters.”

Several X users shared the video claiming the same. (Click here, here and here to view the posts.)

Fact Check

NewsMeter found that the video shows separatist leaders accused of creating illegal arms groups arrested in Azerbaijan.

Upon a reverse image search of the video’s keyframe, we found a video report on the verified YouTube channel of DTX, Azerbaijan's State Security Service. The video from the 2.29 timestamp showed the visuals of apprehended people, as seen in the viral clip.

The Azerbaijani caption stated that the people involved in illegal armed groups were arrested in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan.

We found the same video report carried by the Report News Agency in an article titled, “Those accused of creating illegal armed groups in Karabakh brought to criminal responsibility”. It identified the three arrested persons as Arkady Ghukasyan, born in 1957; Bako Sahakyan, born in 1960, both natives of the city of Khankandi and Davit Ishkhanyan, born in 1958, a native of the Khojavand region.

We also came across another report with detailed information about separatist leaders arrested by Azerbaijan authorities.

Hence, we conclude that the viral video does not show Israeli generals captured by Hamas fighters. The claim is false.