Image of massive fire from Iraq circulates as recent attack on Israeli Hatzerim base

A photo showing a massive fire has been circulating on social media, with the claim that the photo is recent and shows the Al-Quds Brigades targeting the Israeli Hatzerim Air Base on 26/3/2025. The photo was accompanied by the following text: “We give you good news: The Israeli Hatzerim Air Base is now burning after being targeted by the Al-Quds Brigades.” 

Kashif verified the image via Google Images tool, and found that it is old and falsely linked to the Al-Quds Brigades’ targeting of the Hatzerim Air Base in Beersheba on Wednesday, 26/3/2025. 

The photo was published by Shafaq News Agency on 26/11/2023, with the title: “A huge explosion” at Harir Air Base in Erbil.

The photo was also published by Al-Sharq Al-Awsat on 27/11/2023, stating that it documents a massive explosion at Harir Airport in Erbil, “Iraqi armed factions repeatedly target the American base near Erbil Airport in the north of the country and another base in western Iraq, in response to the war in Gaza.” 

Al-Quds Brigades announced on 26/3/2025, that it had targeted the Hatzerim Air Base in the occupied city of Beersheba with a missile barrage, while the occupation army radio reported that a missile fired from Gaza towards the Beersheba area in the Negev desert was intercepted without activating the air raid sirens.