Fact Check: "Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes that have killed at least 24 people in Israel as of October 20, 2023."
What We Know
The claim that Iran has conducted drone and missile strikes resulting in the deaths of at least 24 people in Israel as of October 20, 2023, is inaccurate. Reports indicate that on October 1, 2024, Iran launched approximately 200 ballistic missiles at Israel, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict. However, the reported fatalities from these attacks were much lower than claimed. Specifically, the attacks resulted in the deaths of two individuals—one Palestinian and one Israeli—due to missile debris and collateral damage, not the 24 fatalities claimed (Wikipedia).
Furthermore, while there have been various missile attacks attributed to Iran, the total death toll reported from these incidents does not support the claim of 24 fatalities. For instance, a recent report indicated that at least eight people were killed in a separate wave of missile attacks, but this occurred in June 2025, not October 2023 (AP News).
Analysis
The assertion that Iran's retaliatory strikes have killed at least 24 people in Israel is not substantiated by credible sources. The primary source for the claim appears to be an aggregation of various reports that may have conflated different incidents over time, particularly those occurring in 2024 and 2025.
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Source Reliability: The information from Wikipedia is generally reliable for historical events, as it is continuously updated and cited from multiple sources. The specific details regarding the October 2024 strikes indicate that while there was significant military activity, the casualty figures were far lower than claimed.
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Contradicting Evidence: Other reputable news sources, including AP News and BBC, confirm that while there have been casualties in various attacks, the numbers do not support the claim of 24 deaths in the timeframe specified. The reports consistently highlight lower casualty figures, indicating that the claim may be a misinterpretation or exaggeration of the actual events.
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Contextual Misunderstanding: The claim may stem from confusion regarding the timeline of events. The ongoing conflict has seen fluctuating casualty numbers, but the specific claim regarding October 20, 2023, does not align with the documented events or their outcomes.
Conclusion
Verdict: False
The claim that Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes that have killed at least 24 people in Israel as of October 20, 2023, is false. The actual reported fatalities from the relevant Iranian missile strikes are significantly lower, with only two confirmed deaths from the October 1, 2024, missile attacks. The assertion appears to be a misrepresentation of the events surrounding the ongoing conflict.
Sources
- October 2024 Iranian strikes on Israel - Wikipedia
- Iran missile attacks on Israel kill 8 - AP News
- Israel strikes Iran's nuclear sites and kills top generals - AP News
- Israel Strikes Iran State TV After Telling People to Evacuate - New York Times
- Israeli resilience tested as Iranian missile strikes hit home - Reuters
- Iranian missiles target Israel in retaliation for earlier strikes - Washington Post
- How Tough Is Iran? A String of Military Losses Raises - New York Times
- What we know about Iran's latest missile attack on Israel - BBC