Jake Godin Profile picture
Senior Researcher @bellingcat Previously @ScrippsNews #OSINT/#OSI Mastodon: @godin@journa.host Bluesky: @.godin.bsky.social

May 23, 5 tweets

The same set of library shelves that are on fire in the background of the photo shared by Younis can be seen in an Instagram story saved by the IUG/Aqsa University Central Library in 2022.

Instagram link: instagram.com/centrallibrary…


Another note on this since there are people claiming it's AI-generated (?).

You can see matching visuals in other photos from the IUG Central Library's FB page, such as a matching "No Cell Phone" sign that appears to be in a different section.

FB link: facebook.com/photo.php?fbid…

And just further annotation for the 2022 Instagram video screenshot, in case people are missing what lines up...

While some of the tape on the shelves appears to have been removed over the years (bottom shelves in #37) one tape in particular has the same rip pattern on it.

Also, for the claims that the Central Library was destroyed in February, it's still standing as of May 19 @planet imagery.

That's not to say Al-Aqsa University wasn't heavily damaged, it was, but the library wasn't flattened.

Ref image from Google Maps: google.com/maps/place/%D8…

Some additional context to add to this thread — @ytirawi has shared a screenshot of the Instagram account of the IDF soldier who originally shared the book burning photo.

The account has since been made private, though Younis took a screenshot before.


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