Debunked: 2020 Lebanese Protest Video Misconstrued as Celebration of Nasrallah's Death

A video from 2020 featuring two women singing amidst a crowd waving Lebanese flags has been erroneously presented online as Lebanese citizens celebrating the reported death of Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah. This misrepresentation occurred following reports of Nasrallah's death in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut on September 27, 2024.

On September 28, 2024, a social media post on X (formerly Twitter) shared the 32-second video with a misleading caption suggesting Lebanese citizens were celebrating Nasrallah's demise. The post stated: "Lebanese citizens are also celebrating the kotletification of the tyrant Nasrallah. Well deserved! Party all night."

However, a Reuters fact-check has revealed that the video predates the reported event by more than four years. The footage was originally uploaded to TikTok on January 19, 2020, by one of the women featured in the video.

The song heard in the video, "We are the revolution and the rage," is performed by renowned Lebanese singer Julia Boutros, known for her patriotic compositions. This detail aligns with the actual context of the video, which was recorded during the widespread protests in Lebanon in early 2020, fueled by economic hardships.

On September 29, 2024, the original poster of the video addressed the misuse of her content. She clarified, "They used a very old video of mine from 2020, claiming it shows me and my friends celebrating the assassination of a political figure. The video is old from the Lebanese revolution, and I don't live in Lebanon currently."

It's important to note that Lebanon has a complex political landscape, with Hezbollah playing a significant role. Founded in 1985, the Iran-backed group has been led by Nasrallah since 1992. The country has faced numerous challenges, including economic crises, political instability, and the aftermath of the devastating Port of Beirut explosion in 2020.

This incident highlights the importance of verifying information before sharing, especially in the context of sensitive political events. It also underscores the ongoing tensions in the region and the potential for misinformation to spread rapidly on social media platforms.

"The video is old from the Lebanese revolution, and I don't live in Lebanon currently."

As Lebanon continues to navigate its complex political and economic landscape, accurate representation of events remains crucial for understanding the nation's ongoing struggles and aspirations.