Posts shared on social media claim that Israel’s Minister of Defense, Yoav Gallant, died in the recent missile attack launched by Iran.

Verdict: False

Gallant was not killed in Iran’s missile strike against Israel.

Fact Check:

Iran launched its most intense offensive against Israel Oct. 1, per NBC News.. Nearly 200 projectiles were flown into Israeli territory, most of which were intercepted by defense systems from Israel and did not cause any major widespread damage, the outlet reported.

The post on Facebook is captioned, “Israelis [sic] Defense Minister Yoav Galant Killed in Iran Attack on Israel Today.” Similar posts and captions were shared on X.

The claims is false. Since Tuesday’s attack, the minister has posted on his X account three times, including a photo of himself meeting with some of those who helped operate Israel’s defense systems to intercept the missiles. This post, dated Oct. 2, praised the “air defense fighters” for having “saved many lives” and allowed Israel to “continue our just war, and come to terms with anyone who tries to harm us.”

הגעתי הבוקר לאחת מסוללות החץ שהשתתפו אתמול ביירוט המתקפה האיראנית.

לוחמי ההגנה האווירית הצילו חיים רבים, בזכותם נוכל להמשיך במלחמתנו הצודקת, ולבוא חשבון עם כל מי שמנסה לפגוע בנו. pic.twitter.com/yv7IqnXwWz

— יואב גלנט – Yoav Gallant (@yoavgallant) October 2, 2024

In a separate post shared later that morning, Gallant lamented the loss of eight Israeli soldiers who were killed during the country’s military efforts in Lebanon. The soldiers died amid a ground raid targeting Hezbollah, which was one of two offensives Israel launched in response to the Iran missile strike, according to the Associated Press.

Additionally, United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin wrote in a post on X that he spoke to his Israeli counterpart shortly after the missile strike. The American official described his call with Gallant as one which “expressed mutual appreciation for the coordinated defense of Israel” and agreed to “remain in close contact” during the escalated tensions.

A spokesperson for Gallant’s office also confirmed to Reuters that claims were false. (RELATED: FACT CHECK: Did Iran Destroy 20 Israeli F-35 Aircraft?)

CBS News reported that the Oct. 1 attack had not resulted in any casualties of which the Israeli military was aware. Most of the 180 ballistic missiles fired at the Israel were intercepted by its defense systems, alongside Jordan and the U.S., according to CNN.