{"id":52730,"date":"2025-09-23T10:45:09","date_gmt":"2025-09-23T14:45:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/world\/front-page-claiming-israel-is-preparing-airstrike-on-eritrea-is-fabricated\/23\/09\/2025\/"},"modified":"2025-09-23T10:45:09","modified_gmt":"2025-09-23T14:45:09","slug":"front-page-claiming-israel-is-preparing-airstrike-on-eritrea-is-fabricated","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/world\/front-page-claiming-israel-is-preparing-airstrike-on-eritrea-is-fabricated\/23\/09\/2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Front page claiming Israel is preparing airstrike on Eritrea is fabricated"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>\n<\/p>\n<div data-article-body=\"true\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea have flared up again after Ethiopian authorities said they would focus on regaining access to the sea it lost with Eritrea\u2019s independence. In this context, posts circulating on Facebook in Ethiopia claim to show a front page of The Jerusalem Post reporting that Israel is preparing an airstrike on Eritrea because it has become a haven for Israel\u2019s enemies. However, this front page was fabricated, and The Jerusalem Post confirmed to AFP Fact Check that the newspaper did not publish the report.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20250922133217\/https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Addis2024\/posts\/pfbid0HpfSgAQEmvoitjFbebQfeKoT8BTUcnosrkdHjb8H62gxJdCi6gznVjeP1rA1Vfrpl\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:post;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">post <\/a>in Amharic reads: \u201cThe prominent Israeli newspaper Jerusalem Post today published on its front page, among other things, the news that Israel is planning airstrikes on Eritrea.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cIsraeli officials have said that the Eritrean government is supporting Israel\u2019s enemies and acting against Israel\u2019s interests,\u201d the post continues.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p><span>Screenshot of the false post, taken on September 19, 2025 <\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Published on Facebook on September 12, 2025, the post includes a purported front page of The Jerusalem Post newspaper with a headline in English: \u201cIsrael reportedly preparing airstrikes on Eritrea.\u201d The date on the purported newspaper is also September 12, 2025.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The post also includes an image appearing to show Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pulling the ear of a distressed man who looks similar to Eritrean President Esaias Afwerki. The image is repeated on the purported front page, where it is captioned \u201cReuters\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The same claim was also shared <a href=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20250922133733\/https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid023LWGNhZxqmCjMgkxwmekuu2LjXj1eZsTHKkgLrv6q6FSgUPqNdcnimvgkbVHCk9ql&amp;id=100091435692837\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:here;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">here <\/a>and <a href=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20250923071809\/https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/groups\/3004883419526372\/permalink\/25429666579954736\/?_rdc=1&amp;_rdr\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:here;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">here <\/a>on Facebook.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\"><strong>Mounting tensions<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">On September 5, 2025, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thereporterethiopia.com\/46861\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:stated;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">stated <\/a>that it was only \u201ca matter of time\u201d before Ethiopia regained control of the Red Sea port of Assab (archived <a href=\"https:\/\/perma.cc\/S6MA-UQT9\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:here;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">here<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Eritrea, formerly a province of Ethiopia, gained independence in 1993, a development that left Ethiopia landlocked after Assab became part of Eritrea.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Abiy\u2019s remarks have sparked widespread debate on Ethiopian social media, where many have launched campaigns calling for Ethiopia to retake Assab.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The speech, combined with already strained relations, has escalated tensions between the two countries, with Eritrea <a href=\"https:\/\/apanews.net\/eritrea-accuses-ethiopia-of-amassing-troops-along-border\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:accusing;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">accusing <\/a>Ethiopia of issuing threats and concentrating forces near their shared border (archived <a href=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20250923112136\/https:\/\/apanews.net\/admit-historic-crimes-offer-meaningful-reparation-au-to-ex-colonisers\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:here;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">here<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The claim that Israel is preparing airstrikes on Eritrea spread on Facebook in Ethiopia amid this controversy.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">However, the purported front page report in The Jerusalem Post was fabricated.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\"><strong>Fabricated front page\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Several initial clues point to the front page being fabricated: the newspaper\u2019s masthead is in lowercase letters while the top article\u2019s headline ends in a comma.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Moreover, the masthead does not use The Jerusalem Post\u2019s usual font.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">AFP Fact Check found the front page of The Jerusalem Post edition published on September 12, 2025. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pressreader.com\/israel\/jerusalem-post\/20250912\/page\/1\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:original front page;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">original front page<\/a> looks nothing like the one shared in the Facebook posts in Ethiopia (archived <a href=\"https:\/\/perma.cc\/A3TQ-7BL6?type=image\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:here;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">here<\/a>).<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"&lt;span&gt;Comparison screenshots of the original Jerusalem Post front page (left) and the fabricated edition &lt;\/span&gt;\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"949\" height=\"360\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/qvvwMWNdFzewh64ApTI9rg--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTM2NDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/afp_factcheck_us_713\/c2e36ac882a7ca245795da0cae188207\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p><span>Comparison screenshots of the original Jerusalem Post front page (left) and the fabricated edition <\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The real version of the front page features The Jerusalem Post\u2019s usual masthead in full caps with a bold red line under the first word and an Israeli flag as a backdrop.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">In contrast, the fabricated version uses lowercase letters and lacks all of these distinguishing elements.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The original front page does not include any stories about plans to strike Eritrea, nor does it mention Eritrea at all.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Its top stories were about an Israeli strike in Doha and the release of a Russian-Israeli researcher who had been held hostage in Iraq.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\"><strong>No such story<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">A search on The Jerusalem Post\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jpost.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:website;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">website <\/a>did not turn up any stories about any Israeli plans to strike Eritrea.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The Jerusalem Post confirmed to AFP Fact Check that the outlet has not published the story on any of its platforms.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cThis is a false claim,\u201d said Tal Spungin, the newspaper\u2019s managing editor. \u201cThe Jerusalem Post never reported on a potential strike in Eritrea.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">There have been no credible reports in any other media outlets about any supposed Israeli plan to attack Eritrea.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Furthermore, the image of the Israeli prime minister does not show up on any credible news sites, nor was it found in Reuters\u2019 archive.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/hivemoderation.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Hive Moderation;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Hive Moderation <\/a>AI detection tool estimated a likelihood of more than 75 percent that the image was AI-generated.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"&lt;span&gt;Screenshot from Hive Moderation results, taken on September 22, 2025 &lt;\/span&gt;\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"648\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/l5Q5Dtpge3nXWgC9vMt11Q--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0ODtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/afp_factcheck_us_713\/ce27425f7a918bcdf13d3ec055aa8a6e\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p><span>Screenshot from Hive Moderation results, taken on September 22, 2025 <\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/news\/articles\/front-page-claiming-israel-preparing-141021366.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea have flared up again after Ethiopian authorities said they would focus on regaining access to the sea<br \/><button class=\"read-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/world\/front-page-claiming-israel-is-preparing-airstrike-on-eritrea-is-fabricated\/23\/09\/2025\/\">Read More 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