FAKE ALERT: Israel PM did not take responsibility for Beirut blasts

CLAIM
Screengrab of tweets from verified handle of Israel PM is being shared across social media platforms with a claim that PM Benjamin Netanyahu took responsibility for the recent blasts in Beirut, Lebanon.

The screengrab was posted on Facebook by a user with a text that reads, “Israel's PM Netanyahu just admitted to bombing Beirut by Israel Defence Forces, an act of terror by the state of Israel. I'm just speechless at the level of atrocity this is and how so many innocent people in Lebanon are now dead.”


The tweet from the verified handle of Israel PM quotes Netanyahu as saying, “We hit a cell and now we hit the dispatchers. We will do what is necessary in order to defend ourselves. I suggest to all of them, including Hezbollah, to consider this.”
“These are not vain words; they have the weight of the State of Israel and the IDF behind them and this should be taken seriously,” reads the second tweet quoting Israel PM.
TRUTH
No, Israel did not admit to bombing Beirut. While the tweets were indeed done by Israel PM’s verified handle, they were before Beirut explosions and done in reference to Syria’s attempted attack in the Golan Heights.
VERIFICATION AND METHODOLOGY
The Beirut explosions happened at around 8:50 pm IST on August 4, 2020. Whereas the tweet by the Israel PM was published at 4:39 pm IST, approximately 4 hours before the explosions.

Also, as per a news report from Al Jazeera, the tweets were in relation to Syrian attacks at Israel occupied Golan Heights. After Syrian attack, Israeli army raided southern Syria in response.
After striking Syrian military targets in retaliation for an attempted attack in the occupied Golan Heights, Israel PM Netanyahu then took to Twitter and pledged a tough response to any threats against Israel.
With regards to the Lebanon explosions, Netnayahu expressed his condolences and pledged humanitarian assistance.

The cause of the explosions was not immediately determined, although state media initially reported them taking place at a fireworks warehouse, while others placed them at an oil storage or chemical storage facility.
Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International said that, according to attendees of a Higher Defence Council briefing, the fire was ignited by workers welding a door at a warehouse.
VERDICT
Times Fact Check has found the claims of Israel PM admitting his role in bombing Beirut to be false.