Misbar traced the claim to a platform called Pamphlets, which describes itself as “a communist news media project” aimed at spreading propaganda to counter what it calls lies about communism [Getty]
A viral claim on social media alleged last week that North Korea had threatened to send troops from Ukraine to launch a nuclear strike on Tel Aviv if Israel harmed Swedish activist Greta Thunberg while on board the Gaza Sumud Flotilla.
Arab fact-checking platform Misbar has investigated the claim and found it to be satirical, confirming that no credible media outlets or official sources had reported such a threat.
Misbar’s team searched credible news websites and found no articles matching the circulating claim.
Misbar traced the claim to a platform called Pamphlets, which describes itself as “a communist news media project” aimed at spreading propaganda to counter what it calls lies about communism.
Pamphlets published the story and later reposted it on X, where it went viral, reaching around 20 million users. The outlet later clarified that the piece was satire, saying it was meant to highlight how “Western mainstream media lies about North Korea”.
The outlet also shared follow-up satirical videos, including one mocking North Korean leader Kim Hung Uh “crying after hearing that Israeli drones frightened Greta”.
Pamphlets further shared more satirical videos on this topic, including one that mockingly shows North Korean leader Kim Hung Uh “crying after hearing that Israeli drones frightened Greta”.
The platform is known for publishing satirical and exaggerated stories framed as commentary, not factual reporting.
Israel attacks Gaza’s Sumud flotilla
Late on Wednesday, Israeli forces intercepted multiple vessels from the Global Sumud Flotilla, detaining activists including Thunberg and South African MP Nkosi Zwelivelile Mandela, in an operation that had triggered protests and condemnation worldwide.
The flotilla of 44 vessels and about 500 passengers set out to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza and deliver symbolic supplies of food, baby formula and medicine.
Organisers said the convoy was targeted by “unidentified drones and communications jamming”, believed to be Israeli, before naval commandos stormed several boats, about 70 nautical miles off Gaza.
Israel’s foreign ministry confirmed the detainees were “safe and in good health” and would be deported via Ashdod port after the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur. Legal rights group Adalah, however, said deportation hearings had already begun without lawyers present, calling it a “grave violation of due process”.
The interception has sparked widespread international reaction. South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa condemned it as a “grave offence against global solidarity”, demanding that Mandela and others be freed.
Turkey’s foreign ministry labelled the raid “an act of terrorism”, while Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim accused Israel of showing “utter contempt for the conscience of the world”.
Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro announced the expulsion of Israeli diplomats, calling the move “a new international crime by Netanyahu”. Ireland, Pakistan and the Palestinian foreign ministry also issued strong rebukes, while the UK said it was “very concerned” and confirmed that British nationals were on board.
Protests erupted in cities from Athens, Rome and Barcelona to Bogotá and Buenos Aires, with Italy’s largest union calling a general strike in solidarity. Italy and Spain also deployed naval vessels to shadow the flotilla after earlier drone harassment.
Thunberg, who described the attacks as “scare tactics” before the raid, has previously attempted to reach Gaza by sea. In June, she sailed aboard the Madleen, a vessel later intercepted by Israel 185 kilometres off Gaza, with all passengers detained and deported.
