Video Misidentified as Israeli Operation Actually Shows Brazilian Police Drill

A video recently circulated on social media, misidentified as a recording of an Israeli commando operation, actually depicts a simulation of a hostage rescue conducted by Brazilian police. The footage, which shows dramatic scenes of officers executing a rescue mission, has been misrepresented in posts that emerged weeks after a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas was brokered by the United States.

The misleading video features a masked individual appearing to hold a hostage at gunpoint on a balcony. Officers from the Brazilian police rappel down, seemingly shooting the hostage-taker and successfully rescuing the captive. One post on X, formerly Twitter, included a Hindi-language caption claiming, “Look at the precision. An Israeli IADN commando, hanging upside down from ropes, took down a Hamas terrorist at point-blank range.” This claim has no basis in fact.

Background of the Misleading Claims

The video began circulating around October 30, 2025, amid heightened tensions following more than two years of conflict sparked by Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. This attack resulted in the deaths of 1,221 people in Israel, prompting a significant military response from Israel that has reportedly killed over 69,513 people in Gaza, according to figures from the local health ministry, which the United Nations considers reliable.

While the ongoing ceasefire has seen occasional flare-ups, the misrepresentation of the Brazilian police simulation has drawn attention. The video was widely shared across platforms like Facebook and Instagram, with comments suggesting the depicted actions were appropriate responses to terrorism.

Verification of the Footage

Fact-checking efforts reveal that the footage actually showcases a simulation performed by the Special Police Operations Battalion (BOPE) of the Military Police of Minas Gerais (PMMG). A reverse image search confirmed that similar footage had been shared by the Brazilian news outlet O Popular Net on July 8, 2025, during a public demonstration marking the anniversary of the PMMG.

The accompanying Portuguese caption stated, “The Special Police Operations Battalion (BOPE) of the Military Police of Minas Gerais (PMMG) thrilled the audience with a hostage rescue simulation during a commemorative race at the Academy of PMMG, in Belo Horizonte.” It further noted that the video had caused confusion among some internet users who mistakenly believed it represented a real event.

The footage aligns with imagery available via Google Maps of the PMMG academy in Belo Horizonte, reinforcing its authenticity as a training exercise rather than an operational event. The PMMG confirmed to AFP on November 18 that the BOPE had conducted this demonstration during the anniversary celebrations on July 6, 2025.

Misinformation surrounding military operations can have serious consequences, particularly in sensitive geopolitical contexts. It underscores the importance of verifying information before sharing it, especially in an era where misinformation can spread rapidly across digital platforms.

As the situation continues to evolve, a clear understanding of the facts remains crucial for maintaining informed discourse on international security and counter-terrorism efforts.